The Wilmington Fire Department said teams requested by the state emergency management will be deployed to locate the missing people.
Previously, the National Weather Service Wilmington Office reported structural damage and power lines and urged people to avoid the area.
According to the US Census, an estimated 140,000 people would live in Brunswick County in 2019.
The storm is part of the larger weather system that is bringing brutal cold temperatures to much of the US, including a paralyzing ice storm that has surrounded Texas causing massive power outages.
CNN has contacted the Brunswick County Emergency Management Office for more information.
According to CNN meteorologist Michael Guy, the storms will continue in the area and there are still tornado watches for Eastern North Carolina.
Areas north of Wilmington, including the Outer Banks through Elizabeth City, will be monitored until 8 a.m., he said.
This is a story in development and will be updated as more information becomes available.