First death during Hurricane Florence confirmed in Pender County

Pender County Emergency Management (Photo: Jenna Kurzyna/WWAY)

PENDER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A woman in Pender County has become the first confirmed fatality in our area linked to Hurricane Florence.

Pender County Emergency Management Director Tom Collins has confirmed a woman in Hampstead has died.

Collins says a woman had a heart attack this morning.

Emergency crews could not get to her because of downed trees in the road.

Collins says they have a front loader they’re using to clear the roads, but a tree went through the windshield of it.

Crews have suspended operations at this time.

Collins says they’re expecting to initiate a curfew in Pender County starting at 7 p.m.

We’ll have more details as they become available.