Restaurant owner aids flood recovery efforts in Kentucky, reflects on devastation: 'A wall of water coming at them'

A small eatery in Fort Bend County has lent a helping hand to the residents of flood-ravaged eastern Kentucky, Houston NBC affiliate KPRC reported.

According to the station, Joel Barrios, the proprietor of Bayou Boys Po-Boys in Needville, and his team joined the Cajun Navy Ground Force to aid cleanup and recovery efforts in the devastated Appalachia region. The floods, which occurred late last month, have reportedly claimed nearly 40 lives as of Tuesday.

KPRC reported that Barrios’ team helped feed volunteers and flood victims during the three days they spent in the area, with nearly 2,000 meals prepared and cooked.

“I don’t see it resolving itself as far as having people (being) back in their homes and back to what life was normally like, for another six months, I would assume,” the restaurant owner told the station.

Barrios acknowledged what the people in Appalachia experienced.

“Basically, a wall of water coming at them,” he said, per KPRC. “That’s got to be terrifying.”

The station reported that Bayou Boys is seeking donations. Individuals can visit the eatery’s Facebook page for more information.

According to a report from ABC News, hundreds of residents who lost homes to the floods have been temporarily billeted at state parks and shelters.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear warned that recovery could take years.

"People left with absolutely nothing,” Beshear said, ABC News reported. “Homes that we don't know where they are."