Republican vice-presidential candidate JD Vance says the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene can't be fully appreciated without seeing it in person. Vance toured the ongoing recovery effort in southwest Virginia yesterday, joining Governor Youngkin in Damascus. Vance said the residents there need resources to rebuild and urged the federal government to act quickly to make that happen. He also implied that southwest Virginia is an area that's been ignored by the government for much too long. Today, Vance is heading to Virginia Beach for a campaign fundraiser.
Virgina residents who lost their jobs or business because of Hurricane Helene now have disaster unemployment benefits available to them. The Virginia Employment Commission is offering temporary financial assistance to help in the aftermath of the disaster. Those whose employment or self-employment were affected in the City of Galax [[gay-lax]], Giles [[jiles]] County, Grayson County, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington and Wythe [[Yth]] counties should check their eligibility with the VEC at: vec.virginia.gov.