Getting your player ready...
GILBERT, W.Va. — The National Guard is helping residents in the southern coal fields recover from weekend flooding that destroyed at least 300 buildings, knocked out power and caused mudslides that flushed trash, debris and a mobile home downstream.
Gov. Joe Manchin toured the area and activated 300 Guard troops Sunday on top of 30 he called up a day before, said Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management spokesman Robert Jelacic.
Emergency crews, residents and business owners — some covered in mud — assessed the damage and used shovels to clean up after downpours dumped several inches of rain Friday and Saturday.
“I will never feel safe here again anytime it rains,” said resident Jo Johnson.
