From the moment Hurricane Helene’s rain stopped hammering North Carolina, the recovery process began with rodeo families of all backgrounds in the mix.
Hurricane Helene lashed Western North Carolina starting Friday, Sept. 27, with historic rainfall that caused rivers to swell, taking out bridges, collapsing roads, wiping buildings off riverbanks and causing catastrophic mudslides. One week following the initial disaster, power and cell service still haven’t been reestablished in the some rural towns of Western North Carolina such as Waynesville, Spruce Pine, Chimney Rock and Lake Lure.
Hayley Knox Dagenhart of Statesville, NC, said she and her family were without power for 38 hours.
“In Statesville, we were not hit bad at all,” Dagenhart said. “Honestly, life’s pretty much back to normal down here, now we’re all just rallying together to get items up in the mountains where they’re needed. I haven’t been on the front lines, but just from what I’m hearing, all of the graphic stories are true. It’s really sad, really devastating. It’s kind of hard to believe something like that could hit western North Carolina.”
Despite the devastation, communities across North Carolina—and the entire country—have been springing into action. From trucks and trailers hauling items up accessible roads to mule teams, smaller airplanes and helicopters tackling the rougher routes, it’s clear North Carolina will come back stronger from the disaster.
The Breakaway Roping Journal has been in contact with several members of the rodeo network to gather information on where anyone can contribute to the recovery of Western North Carolina.
Table of contents
How to help:
Monetary donations:
- Victory Air GoFundMe
- Statesville, NC, Airport Amazon Wish List
- Mountain Mule Packer Ranch Venmo
- Mountain Mule Packer Ranch T-Shirts
Volunteer/Donate in person:
- Statesville, NC, Airport Volunteer Organization Page
- New Classic Pro Rodeo Stock Contractors
- Lane Scruggs – 864-395-9154
- Cydney Graham – 704-658-6221
- North Iredell FFA
- Bill Walker – 704-880-0489
Hayley Dagenhart – Victory Air
Dagenhart of Statesville, NC, has a long history in rodeo. The breakaway roper, barrel racer, and full-time mom to Weston also works for Victory Air, a charter airline that usually shuttles NASCAR teams.
In the wake of Hurricane Helene, Victory Air has been organizing both its own fleet and private pilots to drop supply packages to people who are not easily accessible by roads.
“If we can get to areas with a truck and trailer, we’re doing that, but obviously the truck and trailer can only do about one delivery a day, where these little planes and helicopters can make multiple trips a day and get to areas that we can’t,” Dagenhart explained.
In a viral Facebook post, former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle shared a clip of him delivering goods to a stranded North Carolinian using a helicopter. The man used a mirror to alert Biffle, and they were able to land after six attempts.
Back at the Statesville, NC, airport, Dagenhart says that monetary donations are best.
“We’re running short on supplies here because so much has been bought to take up into the mountains,” Dagenhart explained. “Amazon wishlists are [a good way to help] because those items are coming from warehouses, but locally, we are depleted.”
Dagenhart listed Benadryl as one of the lesser thought-of-needs for isolated victims and rescue workers, since the Yellow Jackets has been relentless in 2024 and they’re disturbed due to the flooding and workers cutting trees.
She and the Victory Air team (as well as other Statesville organizations) will continue to organize supplies and distribute them as needed.
Grace Toberer – Mountain Mule Packer Ranch
Breakaway roper Grace Toberer, who’s from Mount Ulla, was staying with boyfriend Heath King in Asheville when the storm hit.
“We were without service for two days, and all the roads to and from Asheville were cut off for a while with downed trees down and everything,” Toberer said. “It’s just crazy driving through and seeing everything underwater.”
While Toberer and King waited in line for more than two hours at a gas station to power their generator, her family was springing into action. Toberer’s father Mike is a military contractor, teaching troops how to pack mules into rough areas. Safe to say, he was primed for this scenario.
Armed with a string of about 10 mules and one draft cross, Mike and wife Michele began orchestrating supply drop offs, where the surrounding communities came together to fill horse trailers with supplies.
Mike and his team of surefooted animals then headed into the inaccessible parts of North Carolina, including areas around the town of Black Mountain about 20 minutes East of Asheville.
“He’s been moving around depending on where they’re needed,” Toberer explained. “If they work in Black Mountain, then they’ll set up the truck and trailer and camp there. And when they go to another town, they’ll move everything.”
After having lived and packed mules in the mountains of Northern California, Toberer said Mike is more than prepared for the challenge posed in North Carolina.
“He definitely knows how to go through pretty rough trails,” Toberer said. “And the mules are way more surefooted than a horse, so they’re definitely better for the mountains.”
Toberer’s mom Michele continues to organize donation drops, and interested parties can keep up with the locations on their Facebook page. Michele’s Venmo is also available for monetary donations.
