NATIONAL BRIEFING / WEST VIRGINIA
The National Guard is helping residents recover from weekend flooding that destroyed at least 300 buildings, knocked out power and caused mudslides that flushed trash, debris and at least one mobile home downstream.
Gov. Joe Manchin III toured the region and activated 300 Guard troops on top of the 30 he called up Saturday, when he declared a state of emergency for six counties, said state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management spokesman Robert Jelacic.
“Since I have been governor, the damage that was caused by the flash floods and rain is as bad as I have seen anywhere,” Manchin said in a statement.
Some of the worst damage was in Gilbert, a town of 400 people.
No injuries have been reported, and seven miners who were trapped underground because of high water were able to walk out of the Mountaineer Alma mine near Wharncliffe, Jelacic said.
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