ALABAMA: Tar Balls Wash Onto Beach as Tropical Storm Lee Passes Through

ATLANTA (WLS) - Heavy rain from the former Tropical Storm Lee rolled northeast into Appalachian states Tuesday, spreading the threat of flooding as far as New England after drenching the South,
spawning tornadoes, sweeping several people away and knocking out power to thousands.

At least four people died because of the rough winds and drenching rains.

Lee also churned up heavy surf that sent tar balls washing onto Alabama's prime tourist beaches.

The globs of oil found so far were very small, Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon said, and their origin was unclear.

In Gulf Shores, black and brown chunks of tar ranging from the size of marbles to nearly the size of baseballs were on the beach.

Brandon Franklin, the city's coastal claims manager, said samples would be sent to Auburn University for chemical testing to determine if the tar is from last year's BP oil spill.

Oil from the spill had soiled Gulf Coast beaches during the summer tourist season a year ago, though officials said the tar balls found so far didn't compare with the thick oil found on beaches then.

BP officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

[link to www.wlsam.com]