Live updates: Desperation grows as hundreds go missing after Helene

Mountain Mule Packer Ranch says mules are helping provide supplies to North Carolina residents devastated by Hurricane Helene.

In a series of posts on Facebook Monday, the ranch said it was working to coordinate mule packages to deliver to areas affected by the storm.

Mike Toberer told the AP he decided to bring a dozen of his mules to deliver food, water and diapers to hard-to-reach mountain areas.

The ranchers and mules “departed” Monday morning and “will continue to help those in need as quickly as possible,” his posts said. “We plan to travel to Weaverville, North Carolina…but are also willing to travel to other areas of need,” the post said.

“We take our chainsaws and push these mules through,” he told the AP, pointing out that each mule can carry about 200 pounds of supplies.

The Mountain Mule Packer Ranch is located in Raeford, about 110 miles east of Charlotte and about 245 miles from Weaverville.

“We have two fully loaded trucks and 20-foot storage trailers heading to western North Carolina for help,” the post said.

“We have been overwhelmed by the amount of support and encouragement we have received for our efforts to use mule trains to transport supplies to those affected by Hurricane Helene,” one post said.

Supplies collected by the Mountain Mule Packer Ranch for distribution.