Heroes Among Us: Driving Storm Recovery in North Carolina

When storms swept through East Tennessee and North Carolina in late September, they left behind unprecedented damage to the mountainous region. Facilitated by Iron Sheepdog, brokers have been able to efficiently mobilize trucks and resources to areas devastated by the storms. While Iron Sheepdog ensures operational efficiency, the heart of the recovery lies in the people – brokers and drivers, whose compassion transcends business.

Xavier Gray, owner of Hero Trucking, has been brokering trucks out of the Nashville area for years, typically managing 60-70 trucks. When the storms hit, Xavier felt compelled to help the recovery efforts. Leveraging his connections through Iron Sheepdog, Xavier coordinated with contractors in East Tennessee and North Carolina, bringing together a fleet to assist with debris cleanup, road clearing and rebuilding.

Xavier mobilized 20 trucks from Nashville and expanded his operations to include trucks from Maryland, Ohio, and North Carolina. Currently, he oversees 43 trucks working in the Asheville region.

“I appreciate Iron Sheepdog because I met some good contractors and other brokers that I can do business with through the platform,” Xavier says, reflecting on how the app streamlined his coordination efforts.

But Xavier’s impact extended beyond logistics. He brought donated supplies to storm-impacted residents and offered personal assistance to those in need. During one conversation, he learned of a couple struggling with financial burdens and cancer after their windshield was damaged by debris. Xavier replaced their windshield and provided additional financial support.

Another poignant moment came from one of his drivers, who helped clear a path for a man headed to the dentist after losing all his teeth in a storm-related incident. The man, grateful for the help, told the driver, “You guys really are heroes.”

Xavier named his company Hero Trucking long before the storm came through, but it has taken on a new meaning to him now. “I think I found my calling – hence the name, Hero Trucking,” he says. “I just didn’t understand it until now.”

On the eastern side of North Carolina, Dekota Marshall, owner of 1st & Goal Hauling, stepped up to address the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Reaching out to Wright Brothers Construction Company on LinkedIn, Dekota quickly established a network of resources to contribute to the recovery effort.

Within a week, Dekota had 25-30 trucks working on storm cleanup. At its peak, he coordinated up to 73 trucks, with the current number standing at about 50. These trucks are crucial for debris removal and temporary road construction.

“This isn’t an easy cleanup,” Dekota explains. “These people have lost everything. Houses washed away. Even for people who still have houses, many have lost all their possessions.”

The mountainous terrain presented unique challenges for Dekota’s team. Spotty GPS service and dangerous road conditions required drivers to slow down and prioritize safety. “If the speed limit was 45, we needed to drive at 20,” he shares.

Despite these challenges, the Iron Sheepdog app proved invaluable. “Even when the GPS went out, we could see our drivers in the app, which worked reliably even in the early days,” Dekota says. With spotty phone service, the platform became a lifeline, allowing his team to send help and reroute drivers when necessary.

Thanks to Iron Sheepdog, Dekota also partnered with other brokers, like SCCII out of Raleigh, expanding his resources and impact. His efforts in temporary road construction are laying the groundwork for permanent roads designed to better withstand future flooding.

Lamont Williams, owner of Stratcon Contracting, leaned on established contractor relationships to offer help in the wake of the storm. However, with so many individuals and organizations rushing to assist, distinguishing between reliable partners and potential bad actors became a challenge.

Through his connection to Iron Sheepdog, Lamont and his partners at SCCII Trucking developed a blueprint for engaging with new companies, including credit checks and verifying client information. This approach proved invaluable in ensuring that only solid, trustworthy companies were involved.

The Iron Sheepdog broker network also provided Lamont with immediate access to trucks ready to work in the devastated areas. “We had access to other brokers and owner operators with the click of a button,” Lamont explained. “There was never an issue of having enough trucks. We just had to determine where to assign them.”

Drivers under Lamont’s coordination faced new terrain and weather challenges, including early snowfall in the area. Ensuring their safety was paramount. And much like Xavier and Dekota, Lamont’s drivers found themselves deeply moved by the communities they served.

“Our drivers were greeted with open arms because people understood they were there to help,” Lamont says.

Miguel Miranda, a retired Marine, and Peter Cruz own 3531 Trucking, based in Southern California. They operate trucks across multiple states, including Texas, Tennessee, and, following Hurricane Helene, North Carolina.

After the storm, Miguel and Peter reached out to see how they could assist with cleanup efforts. They credit Iron Sheepdog for helping them make key connections that brought them into the region. Miguel likens being part of Iron Sheepdog to having a “LinkedIn” for brokers.

“I’m not just one person – we have a team of folks through Iron Sheepdog helping with new opportunities,” explains Miguel.

Once work began, Peter traveled with their fleet to North Carolina, meeting with local contractors and overseeing operations. Similar to other brokers, they faced challenges with the region’s mountainous terrain.

“Google Maps may say one hour, but actually moving a load can take three times as long,” Miguel notes, adding that logistical hurdles such as single-direction roads required careful planning to ensure safety.

Their commitment extended beyond hauling debris. Partnering with local churches in California, 3531 Trucking collected and delivered items such as space heaters, baby formula, and jackets to donation checkpoints in North Carolina. These efforts were a heartfelt gesture of solidarity.

“Those efforts were so appreciated by everyone,” Miguel says. “It’s not as easy for people to get excited about dropping a load of debris.” Even if that cleanup is just as important in the recovery.

At the heart of these recovery efforts is the Iron Sheepdog broker network. With a platform that has revolutionized how brokers like Xavier, Dekota, Lamont, Miguel and Peter coordinate trucking operations, Iron Sheepdog provides real-time visibility and reliable communication. Even in remote and disaster-stricken areas, the platform ensures that trucks and resources are deployed efficiently.

The road to recovery in East Tennessee and North Carolina will take years, but the work being done today is laying a strong foundation for the future. As recovery continues, it’s clear that the partnership of technology and human determination is shaping a brighter future.

Learn more about how Iron Sheepdog is empowering recovery efforts and transforming the trucking industry for the better.