A tornado formed late Monday night in Brunswick County inland from Ocean Isle.

Initial reports from the Brunswick County Sheriff's Department show that the tornado destroyed homes in the Ocean Ridge Plantation subdivision, killing three people. Another ten people were injured.

What You Need To Know

  • Only 28% of tornadoes in North Carolina occur at night

  • 81% of tornado deaths in the state occur at night

  • A NOAA weather radio and activating wireless emergency alerts can help you prepare for severe storms at night

This is definitely not the first time North Carolina has seen a fatal tornado at night.

A 2008 study published in the journal Weather Forecasting found that just 28% of tornadoes in North Carolina occur at night, but 81% of all tornado deaths occur at night. At the time the study was published, North Carolina led the nation in the number of tornado fatalities at night.

Tornadoes are dangerous at any time, but they are often more deadly at night because it is difficult to receive weather alerts when most are asleep.

There are a couple of things you can do to prepare for severe weather at night. First, purchase a NOAA weather radio with a battery backup. You can find these radios at most electronic stores, and they can be programmed to sound an alarm when a warning is issued for your county.

Also, check the settings on your smartphone. Make sure you turn on all wireless emergency alerts. Your mobile device will then sound an alarm anytime a tornado warning or flash flood warning is issued for your location.