ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, N.C. — Governor Roy Cooper and state officials are assessing the damage left behind by Tropical Storm Debby, after at least one person died because of the storm and a tornado tore through a middle school.
Images of fallen trees, flooding, and damaged homes capture the impacts Debby felt across North Carolina.
During a press conference Friday morning, Cooper said emergency response teams are still assessing the damage and reports of tornadoes.
At least one person died because of the storm, and Cooper said investigators are looking into another death that could be connected in Rockingham County.
"I was there in Wilson County yesterday, and a number of people knew the gentleman who lost his life and it's a tough for people," said Cooper.
A tornado tore through a middle school in Wilson County, and the governor said the school's superintendent is determined to ensure students get their education.
"They are going to get an assessment and inspection of the building," said Cooper. "This tornado was very powerful. It destroyed a lot of the sixth and seventh grade classrooms, but left the eighth grade classrooms untouched."
State officials expect water from the storm to still have an impact for days to come, and Cooper said the National Guard is staying ready to help people get to safety when needed.
At its peak, more than 500,000 people lost power, according to Cooper. As of Friday morning, 20,000 customers were affected.
Meanwhile, a warning for people across the state to look out for price gouging and scams. North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein said his office already received at least a dozen complaints since the storm.