Record breaking rainfall has finally passed South Carolina but Governor Nikki Haley warned residents Tuesday morning to "be cautious the next 36 to 48 hours."

"This morning I went up and went to see the damages," Haley said. "What I saw was disturbing, and it is hard to look at the loss that we are going to have, but it will be OK."

The state continues to warn people to stay indoors although the rain has finally stopped falling.

"Anywhere from mid-state down toward the coast may well see rising waters throughout the week," Weather Channel lead meteorologist Kevin Roth said. "This will take until at least Friday, if not the weekend."

The weather service urged people to not drive through rushing waters even if the water appears to be shallow.

Haley called the rainfall, that claimed the lives of 11 people in her state so far, a "1,000-year level of rain." An updated report on NBC News notes the floods killed 16 people so far, and two in North Carolina.

A "thousand-year rainfall" means that the amount of rainfall in South Carolina has a 1-in-1,000 chance of happening in any given year, explained CNN meteorologist Taylor Ward.

The governor announced that South Carolina has deployed the National Guard along with water rescue teams and aircraft to help with rescues and evacuations. Hundreds more are on standby.

Neighboring states including North Carolina, Tennessee and Florida pitched in to help out as well while President Barack Obama signed a statewide emergency declaration.

At least 800 people were in shelters on Tuesday while 305 state-maintained roads and 166 bridges were still closed. More people could be evacuated from their homes within the next few days.

Flood updates and tips on how people in affected areas can stay safe can be found online at the National Weather Service while residents should also stay up to date through local TV stations.

Related