RALEIGH, N.C. — Officials reported that Tropical Storm Debby has now claimed three lives in North Carolina.
The first death occurred early Thursday when a tornado hit a two-story home on Lloyd Road in Wilson County, collapsing the house and killing a man inside.
The second death happened Thursday evening when a tree fell on a woman’s home on Clearwater Lane in Rockingham County. The 78-year-old woman was killed when the tree sliced through her house.
The third death happened Saturday afternoon near Lumberton in Robeson County. A driver ignored road closure signs and drove into floodwaters, which swept their car away. Rescuers found the car almost completely submerged.
As of Sunday, over 140 roads across North Carolina were still closed due to flooding caused by Debby, according to the North Carolina Department of Transportation.
Lumberton Rescue and EMS reported that the accident occurred on Old Whiteville Road off N.C. 211. The car was nearly submerged as rescuers tried to help. Authorities emphasized that drivers should never enter flooded roads and should always heed road closure signs.
The road remains closed, and flood warnings are still in effect in central and eastern North Carolina. More thunderstorms are expected in the coming days, which could lead to additional flash flooding.