Federal Disaster Declared For West Virginia Counties

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — President Barack Obama has signed a federal disaster declaration for nine West Virginia counties affected by a chemical spill that may have contaminated tap water.

Schools and restaurants are closed, grocery stores have sold out of bottled water and the state legislature is on hold due to the spill in the Elk River in Charleston.

Residents have been advised not to shower, brush teeth or do laundry.