U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham will get a first-hand look at the Tropical Storm Helene damage in Aiken. He will meet with local media following storm damage survey.

A State of Emergency was declared for Mercer County by Governor Justice due to damage caused by Tropical Storm Helene. According to a press release, the declaration of a State of Emergency for Mercer County will help the West Virginia Emergency Management Division carry out the Emergency Operations Plan,

Emergency Management is deploying Starlink units to fire departments that are still without data restoration. Shelters remain open at the Transylvania County Parks and Recreation Center and the Ag Center at the Asheville Airport.

Power outages, increased demand for gasoline and the temporary loss of a fuel distribution centers have caused long lines at many Aiken County gas stations.

The scale of destruction from Helene coupled with the mountain terrain mean crews haven’t made it to many places.