(GNB Desk): At least three people died and 10 more injured when a tornado ripped through Brunswick County in southeast North Carolina overnight, authorities said.
According to the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office, the worst damage was in the Seaside community, where multiple homes and vehicles were damaged. First responders were on the scene all night trying to clear debris and search for any survivors.
The tornado hit the Ocean Ridge Plantation area in Brunswick County, North Carolina, at about 11:50 p.m. Monday night, Brunswick County officials said.
Several homes were destroyed and several others were “severely” damaged. Emergency management officials said they’d be sweeping through the area when the sun came up to search the destruction for any additional injuries or deaths.
— the big fellow (@borderfox116) February 16, 2021
BREAKING! Powerful tornado aftermath scene in Brunswick County, North Carolina. pic.twitter.com/O1rQAYkraa
The Wilmington Fire Department said teams requested by the state emergency management are deploying to locate the missing people, and a hazmat team was responding to a propane leak.
About 140,000 people were estimated to live in Brunswick County in 2019, according to the US Census.
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Emergency services were on the scene in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
The National Weather Service in Wilmington issued a tornado warning very late Monday night, then said a twister was confirmed near Honey Island, according to WWAY.
The weather service tweeted about some damage:
Storms will continue in the area and tornado watches are still in effect for Eastern North Carolina, according to CNN meteorologist Michael Guy. Areas to the north of Wilmington including the Outer Banks through to Elizabeth City remain under watch until 8 a.m., he said.
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