Several were rescued from flooding Friday morning as Helene raced toward the Carolinas

Large parts of North Carolina and South Carolina were drenched in rain Thursday, and tropical weather Friday morning heightened concerns about flooding.

As rivers and streams rose, so did the number of water rescues Friday morning.

In northwest Charlotte, Channel 9’s Eli Brand followed emergency workers as they waded through floodwaters along Riverside Drive to help neighbors after a voluntary evacuation was ordered. But just before 4 a.m. Friday, a National Guard truck got stuck in the water.

Neighbors told Brand they were waiting for the worst of the weather.

“I don’t know what we think about it yet because it’s a bit scary. It’s kind of one of those things that people tell you about. And I just hope for the best,” said Christopher and Whitney Olivares, who live on Riverside Drive.

According to Severe Weather Center 9, more than four inches of rain had fallen west of Charlotte Friday morning, and more is expected. Helene, which was downgraded to a tropical storm just before 5 a.m. Friday, could bring several more inches of rain. It’s raining, with more precipitation expected in the mountains.

Channel 9’s Ken Lemon spotted an abandoned car in Gaston County as the South Fork River began to flow toward the streets in Cramerton.

The National Weather Service reported early Friday that some people were rescued from floodwaters in Burke County. Firefighters in Morganton went door to door warning people that flooding could be dangerous Friday morning, and people seemed to take that seriously.

CHASE: Helene lands. Tornado Warning, Flash Flood Warning in effect for several counties

“I had to walk through this water up to my waist, it’s getting really bad,” Harold Wilson told Channel 9.

Housing is available to Burke County residents at Oak Hill United Methodist Church. There is also an emergency shelter at the Citizens Resource Center in Dallas.

Stay updated on weather conditions with Severe Weather Center 9 using this link.

Channel 9 is keeping track of the flooding in the area. Check back for updates.

(WATCH: Voluntary evacuation ordered for northwest Charlotte neighborhood)