At least 5 killed in southeastern NC due to Hurricane Florence

Officials have confirmed at least five deaths in southeastern North Carolina due to Hurricane Florence. 

A mother and infant in North Carolina were killed when a tree fell on their home – the first two fatalities of Hurricane Florence. 

The Wilmington Police Department said Friday that the two were killed when a tree fell on their house. The father was transported to a hospital for treatment. No other information was given.

According to Tom Collins, director of Pender County Emergency Management, a woman called 911 about a medical emergency at her home in Hampstead Friday morning.

Due to downed trees, emergency crews were unable to get to the woman before she passed away.

Collins added that EMS operations have been suspended, and a curfew will go into effect in Pender County at 7 p.m.

WITN is reporting two people were killed in Lenoir County. The media outlet said a 78-year-old man was electrocuted while he was trying to connect two extension cords in the rain. 

Another 78-year-old man was found dead at his home, according to WITN. It is believed he died after he was blown down while going outside to check on his dogs.

The hurricane came ashore early Friday, pounding the state with torrential rain and high winds.

Forecasters have been predicting catastrophic flash flooding. The National Hurricane Center in Miami says more than 16 inches of rain have fallen at locations in southeast North Carolina and another 20 to 25 inches is on the way.

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