RIEGELWOOD, N.C., Nov. 17 (UPI) -- A tornado that touched down just south of Riegelwood, N.C., killed eight people and injured 20 others, the Columbus County, N.C., sheriff said.
Kip Godwin, chairman of the Columbus County Board of Commissioners, said two of the people killed by the storm, which touched down shortly before 7 a.m. Thursday, were under 12 years old, the Wilmington (N.C.) Star-News reported. Godwin said officials were working to identify the dead and hospital officials warned that the death toll may rise as several victims were listed in critical condition.
"It is a major catastrophe," said Sheriff Chris Batten of the 1,000-foot-wide storm. The twister left a path of destruction over a half-mile wide and nearly mile-long swath of land.
North Carolina Gov. Mike Easley said the tornado leveled as many as 30 mobile homes and three brick homes about 20 miles northwest of Wilmington. Officials have set up a temporary shelter for families who lost their homes at an elementary school.
