Storm surveys planned as officials work to confirm damage and determine tornado strength.
The National Weather Service office in Wilmington says it has received reports of at least two tornado touchdowns Sunday afternoon in Columbus and Pender counties and is continuing to gather information from the affected areas.
According to the weather service, storm survey teams are expected to assess damage in the coming days to determine whether the reported touchdowns can be confirmed as tornadoes and, if so, to assign official ratings.
In Columbus County, a public report received by the National Weather Service indicated that four structures were destroyed near Clarendon, with power outages and a snapped power line also reported.
In Pender County, a tornado was reported near Atkinson around 1:18 p.m., moving northeast toward the Point Caswell area.
The reports followed multiple tornado warnings issued Sunday by the National Weather Service as severe thunderstorms moved across southeastern North Carolina. Warnings included portions of Columbus, Pender, Bladen and surrounding counties.
Officials are urging residents who experienced storm damage to use caution around downed power lines, damaged buildings and debris.
Additional information will be released as storm surveys are completed and damage assessments continue.
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