Graham Statement on FEMA Coming to Aiken County, Savannah River Area

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) made this statement after the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) committed to coming to Aiken County and the Savannah River area in South Carolina today.

Yesterday, Graham spoke with a FEMA representative and urged the agency to make contact with local officials and come to the area immediately because of the level of devastation. FEMA is touring Aiken County this afternoon with Aiken County Council Chairman Gary Bunker and Silver Bluff Fire Chief Kerry Green.

"Aiken County is appreciative of the support provided by Sen. Lindsey Graham and his staff. Within hours after his commitment to provide FEMA support, we had a point of contact lined up from the agency. I and Silver Bluff Fire Chief Kerry Green will be taking a FEMA representative on a tour of the impacted communities later this afternoon,"said Council Chairman Bunker."The critical issues in Aiken County are the clearing of the roads and the pickup of storm debris and the rebuilding of the power network. A power grid built up over decades was smashed in four hours during the storm last Friday morning."

"I really appreciate FEMA's prompt response to my request. I am also grateful for the leadership of Council Chairman Bunker and the entire Team Aiken," said Graham. "Aiken County has been hard hit and North Augusta has been particularly devastated, but the people living there are pushing through and rising to the occasion. The entire Savannah River region was severely impacted both sides of the river and I expect a surge of resources to the region very soon."

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