BREVARD, N.C. (WHNS/Gray News) - A mother in North Carolina identified her two young children who were killed after a tree fell on their home during an intense storm.

The boys were identified as Josiah, 13, and Joshua Leviskia, 11. Both were students at Brevard Middle School.

“We need prayers and to be strong,” the mother, Sharon said. “At least God left us a daughter.”

Nathaniel, the boys' father, said that he’s still in shock.

“I went to the house for 30 minutes, and said, ‘Yes, I’m done for the day,‘” he said.

On that tragic day, Nathaniel said he heard a loud boom and immediately ran into action.

Officials said crews responded along with Transylvania County EMS to Okies Drive in Brevard at 3:38 a.m. after receiving a report of children trapped.

Heavy equipment was brought in from multiple sources to retrieve the bodies, and the tree was cut, lifted and stabilized around 6:30 a.m.

Officials report five people lived in the home and the other three escaped without injuries.

Nathaniel said he was able to rescue his daughter, but how the tree fell, he wasn’t able to get to his boys.

Officials said due to how the tree fell, the boys most likely died instantaneously while they were sleeping.

The Transylvania County Sheriff’s Office and the North Carolina Medical Examiner’s Office are investigating the incident.

According to a GoFundMe, this family has lost everything—their home, a vehicle, and, most painfully, their children.

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