It appears that Moore County escaped major damage from the tornadoes that ripped across the central part of the state this afternoon, but neighboring Lee County didn't fair as well.

Emergency responders from Moore County, sheriff's deputies and others were called to Lee County around 4 p.m. to assist with search and rescue operations.

There has been one confirmed death, and reports of several others in Lee County.

The cell that spurred the tornado formed above Lee County around 3:30 p.m. and twisted its way through the Tramway and Lemon Springs area on its way toward Sanford. Pictures of a heavily damaged Lowes Home Improvement store in the county was seen on several television stations.

The storm evidently was picking up steam as it rolled through the county toward Lee.

Reports of trees down in the northern Moore area were reported. As the storm neared the Lee County line with Moore, reports came in of trees down and structure damage in the Staunton Hill Road area near Cameron.

Raleigh, among other communities north and east of Moore County, was also devastated by tornadoes.

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for Moore County through 9 p.m. tonight.