Tomblin Declares State Of Emergency

{Charleston, West Virginia}...Governor Earl Ray Tomblin has declared a state of emergency for nine West Virginia counties due to heavy rains last week that caused flooding, mudslides and major destruction. Those counties are: Doddridge, Harrison, Lincoln, Marion, Monongalia, Preston, Ritchie, Taylor and Wayne. There was golf ball-sized hail in the community of Kiahsville along the Wayne-Lincoln county line south of East Lynn. Several residents reported hail knocked out the windows and the lights of their vehicles. The Wayne County Office of Emergency Services also fielded damage reports in the Paddle Creek area near Fort Gay. Flash flooding joined the damage from hail in Lincoln County. Dispatchers say a few cars near Griffithsville were carried away by high water. Route 10 near Harts and Route 3 near Akol remained blocked Saturday morning from mudslides. The declaration allows the National Guard to assist with hauling off debris, clearing roads and providing other assistance.