The death toll from Saturday's tornadoes has risen to 24, with another death reported in Bertie County.

Rural Bertie County reported its 12th death. Mary Williams, 50, of Colerain had been hospitalized at Pitt Memorial Hospital in Greenville. County officials confirmed her death this morning.

Half of those killed in the state from Saturday's tornado outbreak lived in and around the Bertie County town of Colerain, in the northeast part of the state. Other fatalities included four each in Bladen and Wake counties, and two each in Lee and Harnett counties.

At a news conference near downtown Raleigh, Gov. Bev Perdue gave an update on the tornadoes' toll on people and property.

133 major injuries, maybe more.

About 440 homes destroyed, with the number guaranteed to go up.

6,189 houses with significant damage, with more than 5,000 damaged in Wake County alone.

21 businesses destroyed.

President Barack Obama signed a declaration of disaster for 10 counties, including Wake, Johnston, Lee, Bertie, Bladen, Cumberland, Halifax, Harnett, Onslow, and Wilson.

Eight more counties that were part of Perdue's request are being assessed, and more counties can be added.