In a Friday news conference, Governor Roy Cooper gave updates on Tropical Storm Helene.
Governor Cooper confirmed there have been two storm-related deaths in North Carolina, including one in Charlotte and another in Catawba County. Nationwide, there is a total of 10 dead related to Helene.
There are at least 26 storm-related deaths nationwide, according to ABC News. Other than North Carolina, there are seven in Florida, 11 in Georgia, and six in South Carolina.
Watch Governor Cooper's full news conference on Tropical Storm Helene
Gov. Cooper gives updates on Tropical Storm Helene | Full Conference
"The priority now is saving lives. Helene is causing life-threatening flash, flooding numerous landslides and down trees, causing power outages. Flooding will continue through the weekend and some areas and may even occur in areas that don't typically flood," he said Thursday. "With the rain they've already been experiencing before Helene's arrival, this is one of the worst storms in history for parts of Western North Carolina."
He also said he deployed 285 soldiers and airmen, as well as over 130 high-water vehicles and 30 swift-water rescue teams. The teams are out of New York, Delaware, New Hampshire, Michigan and Oklahoma.
Cooper said the storm will move out of our state in the next 24 hours.
A state of emergency was declared in North Carolina on Wednesday.
25 counties across North Carolina have declared a local state of emergency.
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All North Carolinians should be weather-aware and prepared. You can check if your area is at risk for flooding here. You can also check the nearby lake levels.
See here what schools in the Triangle are closed or delayed on Friday.
Impact across NC
Road Conditions & Flooding
Helene is expected to bring record rainfall to North Carolina. Flood watches were issued across the state.
Light showers are possible Friday morning, with an isolated tornado later, in our viewing area.
A woman got trapped in her bedroom because of a fallen tree in Fuquay Varina on Meadow Drive. The fire chief said they could free the woman and fortunately, no one was injured. In total, two people and a dog were in the house at the time of the incident.
A tree fell on a Raleigh apartment complex off Wake Forest Road.
WATCH | Tree fell on apartment complex; Rain in Wake County
Tree fell on apartment complex; Rain in Wake County
Another tree also fell on a home in Morrisville. Luckily, no one was hurt, but the resident said she was shaken up.
Hurricane and flash flood warnings were extended far beyond the coast up into northern Georgia and western North Carolina. Up to 10 inches (25 centimeters) of rain had fallen in the NC mountains, with up to 14 inches (36 centimeters) more possible before the deluge ends.
Forecasters warned flooding could be worse than anything seen in the past century.
Western NC
According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation, all roads in western North Carolina should be considered closed.
Haywood County Sheriff's Office told people Friday morning to evacuate Cruso Clyde, Canton, and other "low-lying areas" in Waynesville, which is west of Asheville. In a social media post, it said: "Flood waters are extremely dangerous. Getting caught up in floods may result in injury or death. LEAVE NOW. Climb to higher ground. Do not drive through water."
Power Outages
Several were without power Friday morning, according to the Duke Energy power outage map.
According to Duke Energy's website, Crews will assess damage and restore service as quickly as possible in areas where conditions allow. Estimated times of restoration will be provided as they are available.
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