Videos Show Mules Bringing Much-Needed Supplies to Areas Impacted by Hurricane Helene
The Mountain Mule Packer Ranch and the Cajun Navy 2016 have been working together to assist those in hard-to-reach areas using mules to transport the supplies
With many parts of Appalachia still difficult to reach due to the damage caused by Hurricane Helene, mules are being used to help deliver much-needed supplies to these areas.
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 to coordinate their efforts around 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 the mules arriving at Mr. Neal’s home at the “top of Appalachian Way” with the special delivery.
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 how treacherous a journey it 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 help carve a path for the mules to reach Laurel Ridge, where many people still remain stuck after Helene.
Footage shared by the ranch on Facebook showed several mules climbing around debris as they maneuvered through the rugged pathway with supplies on their backs.
“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 its website. The group comes with “over 30 years experience” and mobile training capability “to meet multiple needs.”
The mules utilized by the organization have helped deliver lots of supplies over the last several days including food and water, clean-up materials, cooking supplies, personal hygiene items for individuals of all ages, including babies, and other basic necessities for survival.
The “beloved” mules are experienced, too. “They are capable and willing to work in many conditions most 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 to NBC News and the 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.
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