Mules that provided aid after Hurricane Helene struck down on road

Among the idyllic landscapes of Mount Ulla, North Carolina, there is a sadness wafting through the community where two mules and a horse that carried supplies to victims of Hurricane Helene were hit and killed last weekend.

Among the idyllic landscapes of Mount Ulla, North Carolina, there is a sadness wafting through the community where two mules and a horse that carried supplies to victims of Hurricane Helene were hit and killed last weekend. The three animals, named Vader, Kev, and Amigo, were struck by a semitruck on a road. A tree fell on a fence, leaving an opening for the three faithful equines to escape their pasture, according to a post on the Mountain Mule Packer Ranch Facebook page. “We could not be more heartbroken over this incredible loss, and it is with great pain that we share it with you, as we know many of you have also fallen in love with these sweet animals,” the ranch said in the post. The packs of mules trekked through treacherous roadways and rocky mountain sides to deliver food, water and building supplies to those devastated by the hurricane. The mules helped deliver disaster relief from western North Carolina to eastern Tennessee, the ranch said on social media. The organization’s mission is to provide mule training and packing instruction for civilian and military groups. The animals are equipped to carry gear and resources for weapon groups, communication teams and medical teams in remote environments, according to the ranch. The hard work of these mules and their tireless efforts united the community after the tragedy of Hurricane Helene, Mountain Mule Packers’ co-founder Michele Toberer said. Since the devastating cyclone hit Appalachia in September, the mules have played an integral part in relief efforts, especially in areas inaccessible by vehicles, the animals’ owner said.