Palmetto State News

U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham met with officials in Edgefield, South Carolina, to discuss the recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene. The meeting included Edgefield Mayor Ken Durham, State Representative Bill Hixon, General Van McCarty of the South Carolina National Guard, and Sheriff Jody Rowland.

During the meeting, Mayor Durham highlighted the rapid response of the National Guard: “The storm hit. Within hours, the Guard was at our fire station and they actually had to cut themselves out of where they were to come aid us. Every street in town was blocked by one too many trees. Nothing was passable. And as of today [October 3], every street is passable two ways in Edgefield, thanks to the Guard.”

General McCarty emphasized their commitment: “We’ve been in it from the beginning and we’ll be in it til the end. This is what we are, this is who we are because these are our communities and these are our families.”

Senator Graham praised the efforts of those involved: “…there’s too many to name, but when it comes time to talking about MVPs, people you couldn’t do without [during recovery] from this disaster of biblical portions, it has been the South Carolina National Guard and it has been the State Guard … General McCarty is the right man at the right time.”

Graham also expressed gratitude towards those on the ground: “To all of you, your soldiers and your airmen who have been hit just as hard as everybody else. Everybody who was out cutting those trees up, they were hurt too. So I just want to thank you on behalf of all of us in South Carolina.”

Additionally, he thanked local law enforcement for their service during difficult times: “Sheriff, I want to thank you and all your deputies… all the cops out there. They’ve been hit hard. You’re out there protecting our homes while your home has been devastated, so thank you.”