CONNECTICUT (WTNH) — Connecticut is stepping in to help as millions of people are still without power after Hurricane Helene hammered the Southeast.

“The size of the trees that have come down here is unbelievable, just gigantic trees everywhere,” United Illuminating Senior Manager of Regional Operations Christine Pariseau said.

Travelers relieved to make it to Connecticut ahead of Hurricane Helene

The devastation is unlike anything Pariseau has seen before. She said restoring power to millions is an arduous and urgent task and one that takes trained hands.

“Not a lot of people do this type of work so it is important to use the mutual aid,” Pariseau said.

That’s why UI in Connecticut is lending their hands with 28 line crews down in Virginia and North Carolina.

“They have 14 linemen here and that’s it so they need as much as they can get and so we bring support, mechanics and a few more people to make sure we are self-sufficient,” Pariseau said.

They left on Saturday, along with 45 additional crews from Avangrid in Maine and New York.

Eversource also sent 40 line crews and 20 support personnel from Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire to help out.

“No hotels have power down here so it’s been a struggle,” Pariseau said. “The guys have gotten quite a few thousand of people back on.”

Americares provides mutual aid to help the devastation of Hurricane Helene

Beyond utility repairs, Connecticut crews are also performing water rescues and wellfare checks.

The state’s Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security said eight people from their Urban Search and Rescue Team are in North Carolina including swift water technicians, a state trooper and paramedic and communications engineer. They are also checking debris piles and vehicles that were swept down rivers.

Connecticut is helping out with another critical need: food.

Bear’s Smokehouse, that has two locations here, is offering free hot meals at their restaurant in Asheville, North Carolina. They are also launching a fundraiser to support ongoing relief efforts.

Connecticut crews have brought people to safety, restored electricity and given out free meals, really helping out in every way.

Most arrived last weekend and expect to be in Virginia and North Carolina for at least a week.

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