Western North Carolina has been essentially cut off because of landslides and flooding that forced the closure of Interstate 40 and other roads. Video shows sections of Asheville underwater.

The National Weather Service said Helene had cleared most of the Western North Carolina area by 11:21 a.m. Friday, but significant impacts including serious flooding were expected to continue into the weekend. Numerous areas and cities along the French Broad River are experiencing flooding and the river continues to rise.

"Record Flood Stage. This stage last occurred in April of 1791 according to Tennessee Valley Authority records. Catastrophic flooding of the Swannanoa River Valley is likely," the National Water Prediction Service posted on the river gauge's website.

In Western North Carolina, heavy rains are causing rivers and lakes to overflow, and landslides have blocked major roads. Across the state, two deaths have been linked to the storm.

Hurricane Helene slammed into Florida as a Category 4 colossus with winds of up to 140 mph. Winds and torrential rain are expected to continue Friday.

At least 10 people have been reported dead in multiple states after Hurricane Helene tore into the US south-east

Tropical Storm Helene made landfall as a Category 4 storm near Perry, Florida, on Thursday night. It downgraded to a tropical storm as it moves north through Georgia, and North Carolina.