Forecasters warn of fast flooding along Great Pee Dee River in

In advance of the deluge, “we have cones and barricades out in locations across the city that can be rapidly deployed if needed”, Mahoney said.

[Previous story, posted at 2:07 p.m. ET].

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has declared a state of emergency ahead of a storm expected to bring heavy rain and flooding. Heavy rain has been moving through northern New England and a flood warning was issued for parts of Maine and New Hampshire.

Surfers catch waves in the Absecon Inlet off the shore of Brigantine, N.J. along the Atlantic City skyline, Saturday, October 3, 2015, as a storm brought heavy winds and rain to the Jersey shore communities.

More than 6 inches of rain fell Wednesday in Maine, while New Hampshire got more than 5 inches.

Of the 83 road closures throughout the state early Sunday, 46 were in Charleston, Rousey said. “If you have interests in the western North Carolina and through a good portion of South Carolina, flooding of, potentially historic proportions will be possible where upwards of 12 – 16” of rain will be possible through the weekend.

The situation is so extreme that the helpers are in need of help as well. Fire chief Aubry Jenkins said he’s lost count of how many rescues have been performed.

East Coast states already drenched by rain and expecting more are getting a few potential relief: Forecast maps for Hurricane Joaquin show that it’s no longer likely to directly hit the United States. Three others died in weather-related accidents in South Carolina. The deaths were blamed on the weather.

To report fallen trees, blocked roadways and flooded roads in Aiken, call 803-642-7620. “Turn around, don’t drown”, it said. Flood watches are now in effect into the weekend for most of the state. “But if you do feel that it is an emergency, please call 911”. “Now I know”, he tweeted along with a photo of the water creeping up his front yard. A road that runs behind the shop was closed.

“It is impossible to navigate the peninsula right now without a kayak or a monster truck”, she said.

By mid-morning Friday, water was flowing over South Main Street on Virginia’s Chincoteague Island.

Spartanburg County Coroner Rusty Clevenger tells local news outlets the death occurred early Thursday when several cars were submerged in flash floods. And it comes from two sources.

As hurricane Joaquin moves north it has caused low atmospheric pressure to mix with high pressure below it to form an unrelenting block of severe weather above South Carolina.

It’s a tale of two weather systems.

Even if Hurricane Joaquin remains offshore, “strong onshore winds associated with a frontal system” are expected through the weekend, the National Weather Service said, along the coasts of the Mid-Atlantic and northeastern states.

Could it still make landfall in U.S.?

The ships that were sent out to sea Thursday have designs that made it necessary to get them out of the way from high winds from an existing storm expected to hit the area Friday.

Mahoney also mentioned areas to avoid in Aiken where standing water has collected during past storms and created difficulties. Increased winds held the prospect of toppling trees in waterlogged soil. He told residents to prepare themselves Thursday.

A foot of rain could fall in the southern Appalachians.

Friday night is when the heavy rain will begin to approach. States like New Jersey and New York that were devastated by Hurricane Sandy in 2012 are particularly wary. The flooding threat will continue into next week as rainfall collects in swelling creeks and rivers.

In North Carolina, Gov. Pat McCrory said emergency management officials are preparing for expected floods by readying supplies and going over readiness checklists.