Possible tornado strikes North Carolina coast, killing at least 3 people, officials say

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, N.C. — Three people are dead and 10 others are recovering from injuries after a possible tornado struck coastal North Carolina overnight, officials said.

Photos: Deadly possible tornado strikes North Carolina coast The Brunswick County Sheriff's Office in North Carolina shared several photos early Tuesday after a deadly possible tornado touched down. (Brunswick County Sheriff's Office, NC)

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According to WNCN and WECT, the possible twister touched down about midnight Tuesday in Brunswick County, which was under a tornado warning. Minutes later, the National Weather Service’s office in Wilmington warned of structural damage and downed power lines near Highway 17 in Grissettown.

“Avoid the area,” the agency tweeted.

WECT reported that emergency crews had responded to Ocean Ridge Plantation, where multiple homes experienced “heavy damage.”

At least 37,000 customers in the area were without power about 1 a.m. ET, according to WECT.

On Tuesday morning, Brunswick County officials said three people died and 10 were hurt as a result of the possible twister, WRAL reported.

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