The extent of the damage caused by Hurricane Helene is coming into focus

Nearly three weeks after Helene ripped through the southeast, many communities are still reeling from the effects as the extent of the devastation becomes increasingly clear.

According to FOX weather correspondent Katie Byrne, some families continue to live without water or power, describing their situation as camping in their own homes.

The lack of infrastructure has forced some people to use buckets to collect water from nearby rivers and streams to use the water to flush toilets.

Ruined buildings in Bat Cave, North Carolina. One of the buildings collapsed into the river below.

(Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Roads remain impassable, making access to some areas almost impossible. In some cases, bridges are built from rubble and helicopters are used to reach remote areas.

Power outages continue to occur, most of them in North Carolina. As of Saturday afternoon, nearly 30,000 homes and businesses in the Tar Heel State were still without power.

HELENE KILLS 11 MEMBERS OF THE SAME FAMILY AFTER MUDSLIDE DESTROYS HER COMMUNITY

North Carolina also saw the majority of Helene-related deaths. More than 120 deaths have been attributed to Helene, and that number is expected to rise.

SWANNANOA, NORTH CAROLINA – OCTOBER 2: Emily Ogburn, right, hugs her boyfriend Cody Klein after he brings her a meal on October 2, 2024 in Swannanoa, North Carolina.

(Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty Images)

Officials are still in the midst of recovery efforts, searching for missing people in cars, damaged homes and where debris has accumulated downstream.

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER

To help those affected by Helene, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper signed a disaster relief package for efforts that are expected to take years.