RALEIGH – Authorities say storm damage from Hurricane Irene caused five deaths in North Carolina. The Category 1 storm made landfall near Cape Lookout on Saturday.

Emergency officials said a falling limb killed a Nash County man who was trying to feed animals on his farm.  In Onslow County, a man suffered a fatal heart attack while trying to board up his home.

There were also three traffic-related deaths during the storm. A Pitt County man died after driving his vehicle into standing water and hitting a tree.  Goldsboro police also blamed a knocked out traffic light on an accident that killed a child and injured several others. In addition, a Sampson County woman died when a tree fell on her vehicle carrying two other passengers.

State emergency management division spokesman Ernie Seneca said people need to stay inside until the storm passes. “There are falling limbs out there there’s some flooded roadways and those can lead to tragedy,” he added.

Gov. Bev Perdue said emergency responders are ready to help those impacted by Irene. She said members of the National Guard and State Highway Patrol, will move in once it’s safe.