Two sheriff's deputies died in western North Carolina during Helene, according to the North Carolina Sheriff's Association. Officials say at least 36 people died from Helene in North Carolina.

The deputies were in Macon County, in the mountainous southwestern corner of the state, and in Madison County, north of Asheville. 

"In the wake of this devastating storm, a deputy from the Macon County Sheriff’s Office, and a deputy from the Madison County Sheriff’s Office were tragically killed in raging flood waters," the sheriff's office said.

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In Macon County, a deputy working at the courthouse went to lunch on Friday and never returned, the sheriff's office said in a news release. 

"At 11:30 A.M., a 911 call came in about truck in the river on Fulton road, with witnesses saying they they saw someone in truck before it went underwater," the sheriff's office said. "It was soon realized that one of our courthouse security officers, Jim Lau, hadn’t returned to work from lunch, and his truck matched description of the truck that was seen in the river."

First responders searched by foot and drones and called in swift water rescue teams, but did not find the deputy.

"Ultimately the search was put on hold when the sun began to set. The search began early in the morning on September 28, and Jim’s body was found and recovered from the river shortly after the search began," the sheriff's office said. 

"Jim was very liked and respected within our department. He was known to be a hard worker, dependable, and he jumped in wherever help was needed. His absence will truly be felt in our agency," according to the sheriff's office.

The Madison County Sheriff's Office has not released any details about how the deputy died there.