Columbia, October 8 (RHC)-- Flooding from historic rainfall in the U.S. states of North and South Carolina has killed more people as several dams failed to hold swelling waters. The death toll in the Carolinas rose to 19 when bodies of two railroad workers were found on Wednesday morning.

Nine people drowned and eight others were killed in weather-related car crashes in South Carolina. Two people were also killed in the North Carolina state. In South Carolina alone, at least 14 dams have failed since the weekend after parts of the state received more than 2 feet (60 cm) of rain.

Residents of South Carolina are bracing for more evacuations in areas near dams and swollen waterways across the state. Authorities warned residents in South Carolina's Lowcountry that flood waters were moving in their direction and would have major impacts.

Lowcountry residents were reportedly piling up sandbags around their homes, businesses and tourist attractions as they prepared for the surge of water.

The rain has almost stopped but high waters are still threatening residents in South Carolina after the historic flooding inundated virtually the entire state. Rescue crews continued to free residents in South Carolina's capital city of Columbia that were trapped by severe flooding.