At least 128 people were killed as Hurricane Helene unleashed her fury across multiple states, including Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and the Carolinas.

North Carolina’s governor, Roy Cooper, predicted that the toll would rise as rescuers and other emergency workers reach areas isolated by collapsed roads, failing infrastructure and widespread flooding. More than half of the fatalities were reported in the Carolinas alone, according to The Associated Press, with 42 people confirmed dead as of 11 a.m. Monday.

A sheriff’s deputy in Macon County, North Carolina, was among the dead after he was swept away by the storm.

Government officials and aid groups were working to deliver basic supplies by air, truck and even mule to the hard-hit tourism hub of Asheville, North Carolina, and its surrounding mountain towns. At least 40 people died in the county that includes Asheville.

President Joe Biden said more than 600 people remain unaccounted for.

“God willing, they are alive, but there’s no way to reach them,” Biden said, noting a lack of cell service in the area.

The president described Helene as “a history-making storm,” as damage extends to up to 10 states in the Southeast, with winds at more than 120 mph in some areas, storm surges at 15 feet, and record flooding.

“Communities are devastated,” Biden said. “[Families are] waiting not sure if their loved ones are OK. They can’t contact them because there’s no cellphone connections. Many more folks [were] displaced with no idea when they’ll be able to return to tier homes, if ever — if there’s a home to return to.”

In North Carolina, a video filmed by Charlotte City Council member Tariq Bokhari shows a “post-apocalyptic” scene in Lake Lure after floods decimated the area.

The North Carolina death toll included one horrific story after another of people who were trapped by floodwaters in their homes and vehicles or were killed by falling trees. A courthouse security officer died after being submerged inside his truck. A couple and a 6-year-old boy waiting to be rescued on a rooftop drowned when part of their home collapsed.

Rescuers did manage to save dozens, including an infant and two others stuck on the top of a car in Atlanta. More than 50 hospital patients and staff in Tennessee were plucked by helicopter from the hospital rooftop in a daring rescue operation.

Biden vowed to travel to the impacted states as soon as it is safe. He said he was advised to wait for now, but anticipated he will get the green light to head there at some point later this week.

“I’ve been told that would be disruptive if I do that right now,” he said. “We will not risk the response that’s needed. My first response is to get all the help needed to those impacted areas.”

Biden said he is in “constant contact” with state and local leaders, as well as the head of FEMA, who he said is in Asheville, where they will stay “for the foreseeable future.” The president added that more than 3,600 personnel members have been deployed, as well.

Biden said officials rushed to get more water, food and other supplies to flood-stricken areas without power and cellular service. Supplies were being airlifted to the region around the isolated city of Asheville. Buncombe County Manager Avril Pinder pledged that she would have food and water to the city.

“We hear you. We need food and we need water,” Pinder said on a Sunday call with reporters. “My staff has been making every request possible to the state for support and we’ve been working with every single organization that has reached out. What I promise you is that we are very close.”

Former President Donald Trump was in Valdosta, Georgia, on Monday to view the recovery efforts there. Trump had previously called out both Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris saying Biden was on the beach instead of responding to the storm, and Harris was too busy fundraising.

Harris changed up her campaign plans because of the storm, pledging to give states everything they needed before leaving Nevada early to attend FEMA briefings.

Sinclair’s Matthew Galka and The Associated Press contributed to this article.