The Wilmington Fire Department said teams requested by state emergency management are mobilizing to locate missing persons.
The National Weather Service Wilmington Office previously reported structural damage and power lines and asked people to avoid the area.
An estimated 140,000 people live in Brunswick County in 2019, according to the U.S. Census.
The storm is part of a larger climate system that is bringing extremely low temperatures to much of the United States, including a paralyzing ice storm that hit Texas, causing huge power cuts.
CNN contacted the Brunswick County Emergency Management Office for additional details.
Storms will continue in the area and tornado clocks are still in place in eastern North Carolina, according to CNN meteorologist Michael Guy.
Areas north of Wilmington, including the Outer Banks to Elizabeth City, remain under surveillance until 8 am, he said.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.