At least 17 people died in the floods caused by the storm that has been going on for days in South and North Carolina and although today is the first sunny and dry day, it will take several weeks to repair the consequences.
It has been raining continuously in the capital of South Carolina, Columbia, since September 24, and although yesterday was the first dry day, the state of emergency is still in effect, AP reports.
Officials warn that new evacuations of residents are possible because the huge amount of water moving towards the sea could lead to the bursting of the dam.
The situation is particularly dangerous in the Lowcountry area of South Carolina because the Sante and Edisto rivers carry huge amounts of water to the sea.
Governor Nikki Haley warned that river levels are rising and have not yet reached their peak.
She emphasized that the sun is a good sign, but also warned that the danger still hasn't passed.
"We still have to be careful. What I saw is disturbing," she added after touring the flooded areas.
According to the US agency, at least 15 people died during the storm in South Carolina, and two more in North Carolina.
Six people drowned in their cars, and several died while driving on flooded roads.
Georgetown, one of America's oldest cities, located at the confluence of four rivers, was flooded throughout the weekend, and in Effingham, located east of Columbia, the Lynch River was as much as 1.5 meters above its normal level.
Water supply is also a big problem, as about 40.000 homes in the area around Colombia are left without drinking water.
Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin said 375.000 people will have to boil water for drinking or cooking "for some time to come."
Electricity supply has been normalized, but road and bridge repairs will take longer.
About 200 engineers are working to prepare roads, including the main Interstate 95 that connects the southeastern part of the US with the northeast, according to the AP.
Emergency responders have rescued hundreds of people and animals from the water, and about 800 people are in 24 shelters, while the governor expects that number to rise.
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