VIDEO: Hurricane Helene flooding in the western North Carolina mountains

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ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Hurricane Helene, which weakened to a Tropical Storm on Friday, started wreaking havoc in the North Carolina mountains as early as Wednesday night.

In a Friday update, the NCDOT said that “All roads in Western NC should be considered closed.” Also, from the NC Emergency Operations Center, Gov. Cooper said at least 290 roads are closed with widespread power outages across the state, and at least two deaths confirmed so far .

Flooding began in areas in and around Asheville Wednesday night. According to the head of the N.C. Department of Public Safety, the mountains are expected to see “multiple rounds” of storms with more than a foot of rain by the end of the extreme weather.

Hurricane Helene is shaping up to be one of the most significant weather events to hit the western part of the state in the modern era, according to the National Weather Service.

“Tropical weather in our mountains can be deadly,” Governor Cooper said in a Thursday morning press conference, warning everyone in the mountains and sandhills regions to be prepared and to drive through floodwaters.

Several videos shared with sister station WNCN show that some drivers are taking the risk.

Gov. Cooper announced that 175 soldiers and airmen from the N.C. The National Guard has been activated. He also said swift water rescue and urban search and rescue teams from around the state have been deployed to help those who become stranded.

Stay up-to-date with the latest from the Pinpoint Weather Alert Team on Helene’s path and the forecasted impacts in and around North Carolina here .

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