Videos Show Mules Bringing Much-Needed Supplies to Areas Impacted by Hurricane Helene

Mar. 15, 2025

A washed out road is seen in Black Mountain, North Carolina.Photo:ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty

ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty

The Mountain Mule Packer Ranch and the Cajun Navy 2016 have been working together to assist those in hard-to-reach areas, using the mules to help transport supplies.

The Mountain Mule Packer Ranch started tocoordinate their effortsaround Sunday, Sept. 29, according to a post on their Facebook page. And with some help from the Cajun Navy, they are now delivering essential supplies to those in need.

One of the first families helped was in dire need of ice for insulin. The Cajun Navy shared footage on Tuesday, Oct. 1 of themules arriving at Mr. Neal’s homeat the “top of Appalachian Way” with the special delivery.

A washed out road in Black Mountain, North Carolina.ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty

Mr. Neal seemed thrilled to see help arrive. The Facebook Reel showed him greeting the mules at the top of this driveway with a smile on his face.

“We’ve got that ice for you!” said the person behind the camera, to which Mr. Neal responded, “Look at you!”

The Cajun Navy also shared footage of howtreacherous a journeyit was to reach Mr. Neal’s home in another Facebook Reel. The road shown in the video had caved in on itself, forcing the three mules to walk along a small strip of undamaged pavement.

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On Friday, Oct. 4, Mountain Mule Packer Ranch said “locals rented heavy equipment” to helpcarve a path for the mulesto reach Laurel Ridge, where many people still remain stuck after Helene.

“We the people helping we the people!” Mountain Mule Packer Ranch captioned the post.

Based in Mount Ulla, N.C., the Mountain Mule Packers “specialize in high altitude, crew-served weapons, and extreme terrain pack animal supply trains,” according to itswebsite. The group comes with “over 30 years experience” and mobile training capability “to meet multiple needs.”

The “beloved” mules are experienced, too. “They are capable and willing towork in many conditionsmost won’t,” Mountain Mule Packers said in a post on their Facebook page. “They are not stubborn…..they are wise, and require respect.”

More than 200 people have died after Helene hit southern portions of the United States in late September, according toNBC Newsandthe BBC. The storm is now the deadliest on record since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

To learn more about how to help with relief, recovery and rebuilding efforts from Hurricane Helene,click here.

source: people.com