'A nightmare come true': Mountain Mule Packer Ranch mourns loss of mules used in Hurricane Helene relief
ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Three mules that helped bring supplies to western North Carolina residents after Hurricane Helene have died.
'It's pretty, pretty shocking to have that kind of a nightmare come true,' Michele Toberer said. She and her husband run 'Mountain Mule Packer Ranch' in Rowan County.
Michelle Toberer never thought she'd say goodbye to three of her mules so soon. She says a tree fell on the fence keeping them in the pasture– letting them loose Saturday night.
Then, on Sunday, she and her husband got the call that the three animals — Amigo, Vader, and Kev — had been fatally hit by vehicles.
'Instant tears. I mean, it's definitely anyone that has horses and mules or cattle, livestock in general. I think everyone can agree that it's the fear you have when you leave'
Since Hurricane Helene, the Toberers have used their packing mules to haul supplies into inaccessible parts of western North Carolina. After the accident, they're down to six mules.
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'They're saddled with pack saddles and they can carry anywhere from 150 to 200 pounds of supplies per mule. And so, you know, when we're taking nine, nine mules in, that's, you know, nearly a ton of supplies that can be brought in,' Toberer said.
So fewer mules means fewer supplies — or more trips. Either way, the Toberers can't rotate the workload as easily. She says the work hasn't been as strenuous now that most roads are open again.
'Unless there were certain situations where someone's bridge was out or there was not another easy way to get supplies to them,' Toberer said.
There was an outpouring of community support after the family posted about the mules' deaths. Neighbors grew fond of the animals as well.
'Knowing that people that had never even met these mules have fallen in love with them and they cared about their loss to definitely light and lighten things. And it made it much more bearable day yesterday to be receiving calls and messages. And I wish we could reply to every single one, but I want everyone to know how much everyone has met,' Toberer said.
The Toberer family will host a relief event on Saturday between noon and 4 p.m. in Black Mountain. As a token of their appreciation, they plan to bring their mules for a meet and greet for the community.
If you would like to donate to the Topers to help get more mules — Mission Mules.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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