The Charlotte area woke up to increasingly heavy rain and wind as Helene, now a tropical storm centered over central Georgia, moved north. A tropical storm warning and a flash flood warning remained in effect for the Charlotte region,

More than a foot of rain has fallen across much of the western part of the state. Officials said the highest rainfall total was reported as 29.5 inches in Busick Raws, in Yancey County.

The storm is responsible for at least 15 deaths in Georgia alone and continues to pack a powerful punch as it continues north.