As teams from multiple agencies try to save people from their cars on flooded streets across South Carolina, officials are struggling just to keep count, the state’s emergency management spokesman told CNN on Sunday.

“It’s a historic flood the likes of which we haven’t seen,” Eric Rousey said. Most of the rescue operations are being staged in Dorchester and Charleston, where at least 30,000 people are without power. Emergency officials said there were about 140 water rescues in Dorchester overnight.

Here’s the latest rainfall forecast for tonight through Monday: pic.twitter.com/rrOZIfkOHm

— NWS Charleston, SC (@NWSCharlestonSC) October 3, 2015

In Charleston, people paddled kayaks and canoes down city thoroughfares, as more than 6 inches of rain fell in downtown on Saturday, according to the National Weather Service Twitter account.

On Saturday, about 11½ inches of rain had fallen in the city, the weather service said. That’s an inch more than the all-time daily highest amount of rain in the area, recorded in September 1998.

Of the 83 road closures throughout the state early Sunday, 46 were in Charleston, Rousey said.

President Barack Obama has declared an emergency in South Carolina, authorizing federal aid in anticipation of more rain.

BREAKING: Coastal flood warning issued until 4 a.m. for Charleston, South Carolina, catastrophic flooding developing: pic.twitter.com/rx8xsfPHHp

— The Weather Channel (@weatherchannel) October 4, 2015

The weather service forecast “catastrophic flash flooding” overnight into Monday in Berkeley County in South Carolina, where more than 18 inches of rain had fallen in 24 hours, according to the CNN Weather Center.

04 Oct 2015 | Historic Flooding: Midlands, Columbia, South Carolina #Flood #Columbia: http://t.co/uBXVvqI3cD via @YouTube

— earthspace101 (@earthspace101) October 4, 2015

The situation is so extreme that the helpers are in need of help as well.

 

“Four additional swift-water rescue teams are coming in from out of state to assist with SC rescues,” the South Carolina Emergency Management Division tweeted.

For motorists tempted to drive during the deluge, Charleston County’s government tweeted the urgent message, “Please stay HOME.”

Georgetown County opened three emergency shelters for residents who have had to leave their homes, according to a release from the county. Roads were closed throughout Myrtle Beach on Sunday as the city of Georgetown was “predominantly under water,” city Fire Chief Joey Tanner said. Firefighters are responding to calls, while residents are escaping their homes by boat.

Several fires have been reported, the release said, because water has seeped into electrical circuits. Officials are warning that if water is coming into a home, breakers must be cut immediately.

– CNN