Rescue efforts are underway across western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene brought unprecedented flooding and landslides to the region over the weekend.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell described the catastrophic flooding as “historic” during an appearance on CBS’ “Face the Nation” on Sunday.

“I don’t know that anyone could be fully prepared for the amount of flooding and landslides they’re experiencing right now,” Criswell said. “But we have had teams there for several days to which we are sending additional search and rescue teams.”

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said during a news conference Sunday that the death toll was expected to rise as search parties reached areas that remained isolated by the storm.

Hurricane Helene: Fox Weather meteorologist rescues woman from car during live footage as floodwaters rise

The banks of the Swannanoa River overflowed following Hurricane Helene on Friday in Asheville, North Carolina (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)

“This is an unprecedented tragedy that requires an unprecedented response,” Cooper said, adding, “We know there will be more deaths.”

Cooper urged residents to avoid driving on roads in Western North Carolina to keep roads clear for emergency vehicles.

Emergency responders watch floodwaters increase Friday in Asheville, North Carolina (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)

More than 50 search teams are searching for stranded people across the region.

“Many people are cut off because the roads are impassable,” the governor said.

VIDEOS: HURRICANE HELENE LEADS RECORD STORM LINE ALONG FLORIDA’S GULF COAST

Supplies were airlifted to the area around Asheville, a popular tourist town in the western mountains of North Carolina.

A man walks near a flooded area near the Swannanoa River in Asheville, North Carolina on Friday (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)

Criswell said water is “a big issue right now” as recovery efforts continue.

“We have sent bottled water, but we also have the Army Corps of Engineers preparing to begin assessments today to see what we can do to get these water systems back online quickly,” she said. “And we are also moving satellite communications and Starlink satellites to the area to help alleviate the lack of communications that this part of the state is experiencing.”

When asked about climate change and the storm’s impacts, Criswell said the storm quickly intensified due to warmer water temperatures.

“There are more storms forming that reach this large category than we have seen in the past,” she said. “It also leads to greater storm surges in coastal areas. The further north it goes, the more rain falls.”

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

“So when we looked at hurricane damage in the past, it was primarily wind damage with some water damage,” Criswell continued. “But now we’re seeing so much more water damage. And I think that’s a result of warm water, which is a result of climate change.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.