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People missing after tornado hits Brunswick County
Sunset Beach, N.C. — Rescue teams were searching for missing people Tuesday morning after a tornado hit Brunswick County overnight, leaving a trail of damage.
The Wilmington Fire Department said teams requested by the state emergency management are deploying to locate the missing people.
Earlier, the National Weather Service Wilmington Office reported structural damage and power lines and urged people to avoid the area.
About 140,000 people were estimated to live in Brunswick County in 2019, according to the US Census.
The storm is part of the larger weather system that is bringing brutally cold temperatures to much of the US, including a paralyzing ice storm that has walloped Texas, causing massive power outages.
CNN has reached out to the Brunswick County Emergency Management Office for additional details.
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 watches until 8 a.m., he said.