HARTFORD, CT (WFSB) - Recovery efforts are underway in the Southeast after Hurricane Helene left catastrophic damage.

On Sunday, Eversource crews left from their Berlin headquarters to help with power restoration. Other Connecticut locals are offering to help, including Bear’s Smokehouse.

Matthew Wallace, human resource manager at Bear’s, said, “This isn’t just a small storm that came through. This is going to have really long-lasting effects.”

A large portion of the Southeast is dealing with the aftermath of this Category 4 hurricane. There’s a long road to recovery ahead.

Wallace added, “There’s all this flooding, no running water, or electricity. People can’t place phone calls in or out. It’s scary.”

This frightening situation lead Bear’s Smokehouse co-owner, Jamie McDonald, to Asheville, North Carolina.

The restaurant has two locations in Asheville. Some areas of the city are unrecognizable after the hurricane. Victims are facing terrible issues, including finding food and water.

Bear’s Smokehouse partnered up with World Central Kitchen to help affected communities.

“We gave out around 3,000 meals the other day... We’re distributing the meals to anyone who shows up,” said Wallace.

The Connecticut National Guard is also assisting victims in North Carolina, along with the Urban Search and Rescue Team, and the Connecticut Task Force.

Governor Ned Lamont said in part, “Connecticut stands ready to help in the recovery efforts. I thank the volunteers from this Urban Search and Rescue Team for their swift response.”

Wallace stated, “We have a state that really believes in the power of a community. And the community doesn’t take one restaurant or one power company.”

More than two million customers remain without electricity in several states. Multiple Eversource crews are now in Virginia, hoping to restore power.