Brad Paisley: West Virginia floods shocking, heartbreaking

By JOHN RABY
Associated Press

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) – Singer Brad Paisley says he’s shocked and heartbroken by the destruction from deadly flooding in his home state of West Virginia.

Paisley on Thursday visited Clendenin, a town of 1,200 people ravaged by the swollen Elk River last week. He sent photos on Twitter showing discarded items piled high outside a church, along with damage from inside Herbert Hoover High School.

The native of Glen Dale says volunteers are everywhere helping out. But what victims need most right now is money. He says residents are resilient and determined to rebuild.

Paisley has donated $100,000 and he hopes to raise $1 million.

When asked if a benefit concert is planned, Paisley says not right now. But it’s something he could envision later to keep attention on the state.

(Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)