Mules help provide supplies to North Carolina residents after Hurricane Helene

A mule packer ranch in North Carolina is providing some helping “hooves,” delivering much-needed supplies and first aid to mountain communities affected by the damage from Hurricane Helene.

“A busy morning as we loaded up lots of gear, supplies and MULES to head to WNC! Please know that we appreciate EVERY kind word, gesture of support, and everyone who works with us to HELP as much as we can!” Mountain Mule Packer Ranch wrote in a post on Facebook .

“We will set up a staging area and begin assisting this afternoon, bringing in additional loads of supplies once the mules are in place!”

The group flew to Weaverville, North Carolina, on Sunday, where they were able to drop off a large stockpile of supplies. On Tuesday we continued to Montreat. According to the organization, they also worked with the Cajun Navy, another group of civilian volunteers.

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After Hurricane Helene crippled communities in western North Carolina with landslides, flash floods and road damage, good Samaritans banded together to find creative ways to provide supplies and first aid. (Mountain Mule Packer Ranch)

“Mike and the mule team made it to their staging area in Montreat yesterday and have already helped families in need! They will do everything they can at Black Mountain today,” the group wrote.

“One of the first families helped yesterday was in dire need of insulin, and Mountain Mule Packers was able to get it on this otherwise impassable road!!” the group wrote.

The group has been chronicling their trip online and is accepting donations to purchase supplies.

“Many thanks to Five 11's Livestock Hauling for helping us transport mules so we could bring up more supplies! And we are pleased to be able to support the Cajun Navy in their efforts in 2016! The team here at the ranch will be purchasing additional supplies today to restock tomorrow!” the group said in an update Tuesday morning.

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Nonprofit organizations are using mules to bring much-needed supplies and relief supplies to mountain communities in North Carolina affected by Hurricane Helene. (Mountain Mule Packer Ranch)

The organization said it was pleased by the huge outpouring of inquiries about how people could provide it with supplies, but said conditions in the mountains made it difficult to coordinate deliveries.

“We broke the checkout at Walmart!!!! A little late! But we are on the way!!! Thank you for your patience!!!!” The group posted in an update.

As of Tuesday evening, at least 160 people have died as a result of Hurricane Helene in the six affected states, while the search for missing people continues in North Carolina.

Helene is the third deadliest hurricane to hit the continental United States in the last 55 years, surpassed only by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and Hurricane Camille in 1969, Fox Weather confirmed.

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Since the worst of the storm on Friday morning, local and state officials, as well as local and foreign volunteer rescue organizations – such as Samaritan's Purse, headquartered in Boone, and Cajun Navy 2016, based in Louisiana – have been working to deploy personnel and resupply the steep mountain roads of western North Carolina, which were severely affected by Helene, with supplies. (Samaritan's Purse)

President Biden has announced this is traveling to the region on Wednesday and is expected to pay a visit AshevilleNorth Carolina to get a first-hand look at the devastation. Biden is also expected to visit Florida and Georgia.

Helene landed as a monster in the Big Bend region of Florida late Thursday evening Category 4 hurricane with Wind speeds of 140 miles per hour. It destroyed buildings and downed trees and power lines across the Southeast.

As the cleanup continues in Western North Carolina, resources are needed from around the world The US is pouring into areas that desperately need help.