| The flooding that hit Roane County and Spencer this week was a weather event that has likely made records, beyond shoppers being trapped at Wal-Mart.
Numbers of homes and properties were flooded for the first time in recollection, and the water blocking the Spencer Rt. 119 bypass was certainly an unusual event.
Spencer officials say about 100 homes were flooded, but many more were flood in different parts of the county, some for the first time.
The City of Spencer is looking for temporary housing for a dozen or more residents of Mar-Cap Manor, whose apartments were damaged.
The West Virginia National Guard was working with Roane volunteers to help the county's residents recover.
More than 40 National Guard members were in the county Friday helping with clean-up, but Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin said he will be doubling the guardsmen.
Gov. Tomblin has been touring the county after declaring a state of emergency.
Division of Highways crews are working to quickly reopen roads and repair slips, including a major slip on Route 119.
In a prepared statement, Tomblin said he is thankful no one was seriously injured and he appreciates the hard work of the swift water rescue teams who performed nine rescues at the height of the storm.
"In 100 years, this area has not experienced damage that we're seeing today, one lane of busy Route 119 has been washed away; at least 100 homes were flooded; and the amount of debris left behind is astounding," Tomblin said.
"In surveying the damage and listening to flood victims, the historic nature of the flood is evident. I want to assure residents that local county and state resources are working in a coordinated effort to serve the needs of the community."
Roane's 911 center is back in operation after having to evacuate their
building, and the Roane ambulance service saved three of their four ambulances.
The American Red Cross has operations set up at the National Guard Armory in Spencer to assist residents.
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