Two adults patients injured when a twister touched down early Thursday morning in Armour, an unincorporated community in eastern Columbus County about 20 miles from Wilmington, were released from New Hanover Regional Medical Center on Monday.

One other adult injured in the storm remains in fair condition at the Wilmington hospital.

Four children under age 12 remain hospitalized: Two are in critical condition at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill; two are listed in stable condition at Pitt Memorial Hospital in Greenville, according to a news release from Columbus County Commissioners Chairman Kipling Godwin.

Eight people from three families died after the tornado's 200 mph winds ripped apart 13 homes and an auto repair shop and damaged or affected 28 other homes.

Godwin said the Disaster Assistance Center set up at Riegelwood Baptist Church, Riegelwood, will remain open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Wednesday. The center will be closed Thursday, then reopen from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Victims who applied for American Red Cross assistance but who have not applied for state disaster or SBA loan assistance should stop by the disaster center to do so as soon as possible, Godwin said. State disaster assistance is available for funeral and medical expenses as well as for home repairs for families affected by the tornado.

It is anticipated that all victims will have applied for state disaster or SBA loan assistance by Saturday afternoon, the news release stated.

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