NOTE: This is a developing story that will be updated periodically.

A force of nature called Helene made landfall as a deadly category 4 hurricane late on the evening of September 26, 2024, along the Florida Gulf Coast. One day later, as Helene weakened to a tropical storm, it unleashed damaging winds, unprecedented rainfall and torrential flooding across the southeast U.S., with Georgia and the Carolinas particularly hard hit.

In some cases, entire inland communities have been wiped out in scenes described as “apocalyptic.” The degree of destruction is staggering, and the death toll continues to rise, with rescue operations in full swing and hundreds of people still believed missing at this writing.

In the wake of the devastation, groups such as the Mountain Mule Packer Ranch in Mount Ulla, North Carolina, and the Sandhills Pony Club of Pinebluff, North Carolina, have mobilized to help victims of Helene in that state’s western mountains, many of whom have been stranded for days without food, water, cell power, electricity and passable roads.

Their targets include not only the people in these locations, but their animals, as well.

Packing it in

In the case of the Mountain Mule Packer Ranch, a business that offers training in tactical mule packing, the objective is getting much-needed supplies in by pack mule strings to especially hard-to-reach mountain locations. The mules and supplies are being hauled to local staging areas from which they are being deployed. According to reports, each of the mules can carry 200 pounds of supplies, everything from food and water to diapers and medical needs like insulin.

In a recent Facebook post, the Mountain Mule Packer Ranch asked that anyone who wants to donate to their mission or who knows of “specific needs and areas” where mule-string help might be warranted please reach out to them at (910) 885-1402. “We can bring supplies or pack in what your group has acquired already,” the post reads.

There have also been reports of vital supplies being carried into the mountains by individuals on horseback.

Airlifting hay and animal feed

Meanwhile, members of the Sandhills Pony Club are using airlifts and ATVs to transport donated hay, feed and animal supplies into zones where horses, other livestock and pets have not been evacuated.

Recently added to the pony club’s wish list: Pet food in easily transportable sizes, roll-type temporary fencing, five-gallon jugs for water and small bags of high-performance dog food like Purina Pro-Plan and Diamond Performance (no chicken, please) for the hardworking Search and Rescue dogs.

The group is also asking for additional volunteers to help coordinate this massive relief effort. Call (615) 268-9145 or email [email protected] for more information.

A post on the club’s Facebook page directs those wishing to help to send donations by Venmo (@Sandhills_PonyClub) or mail a check to Sandhills Pony Club, 255 Cliffman Rd., Pinebluff, NC 28373.

Landing page image from Mountain Mule Packer Ranch social media