It was a bit of over a 12 months in the past, September twenty eighth to be actual. Former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle was placing the ending touches on his sailboat. He was prepared to start out crusing the subsequent day, headed for a soothing Bahamas trip.
Then Hurricane Helene got here knocking with a fury by no means seen earlier than in western North Carolina, a devastating monster that killed over 100 folks within the furthest western reaches of the Tar Heel State. Those that far inland—roughly 400 miles west of the Atlantic Ocean—by no means apprehensive a couple of hurricane of their lives.
One minute, Biffle was getting his boat prepared for some R&R. The subsequent minute, the person nicknamed “The Biff” actually modified the route of his trip, hopped in his helicopter, and headed out to Asheville, NC, and factors past, doing what he might to save lots of numerous lives and to ferry badly wanted provides to these in dire want.
As his NASCAR Cup profession started winding down a number of years in the past, Biffle determined to promote his helicopter he had owned for years, the identical chopper he used to pilot himself and fly to races to keep away from site visitors or the trouble of going by way of airports.
However as spring 2024 dawned and the climate began getting higher in North Carolina, Biffle determined to purchase one more chopper for “enjoyable,” little realizing that six months later his enjoyable would shortly turn into a lifesaving rescue car.
“It nonetheless provides me goosebumps occupied with it, the way it all—what if this wouldn’t have occurred and that—simply how every thing got here collectively,” Biffle recalled to WFMY TV.
It began with a textual content: “Wanna go flying as we speak?”
Biffle’s odyssey started with a easy textual content from a good friend who merely requested, “Wanna go flying as we speak?” The good friend knew of a household in rural Banner Elk, NC, which had been devastated. The household, which was with out energy and had a new child, was out of child method, diapers, meals—just about every thing they wanted to outlive.
The subsequent factor he knew, and after a cease to buy these much-needed provides, Biffle was heading to Banner Elk, over two hours away. “The highway was washed out, after which my spouse stated, ‘Are you gonna go?’” Biffle recalled. “That’s all she stated. And I simply felt like if I don’t go, who’s going to?”
Satirically, and regardless that the world was utterly with out water, roads have been washed away, and most mobile phone service was gone, Biffle took to Fb to say he was heading that approach in his chopper.
What occurred subsequent amazed him. He spoke about how the climate was dangerous, however he was decided to convey that household the life-sustaining provides they wanted. “I acquired 4000, 5000 messages inside an hour and a half,” Biffle recalled of his Fb submit. Folks wrote him saying issues like, “I haven’t heard from my mother and father.” … “I haven’t heard from my brother or sister or neighbor or grandparents or relative.”
To say the circumstances have been the worst he’s ever witnessed in his life can be an understatement for Biffle, who grew up in Washington State. “I used to be in in all probability a few of the roughest terrain I’d ever been in,” Biffle stated. “There’s no recollection of a highway, an embankment, no ledge, no bridge, no something for miles down these canyons, and we see folks strolling with backpacks — making an attempt to get out.”
Biffle didn’t give up till the job was finished—practically two weeks later
One journey for Biffle shortly was six to eight flights a day—plus refueling and refilling the chopper with extra meals, drugs, and different provides—for 2 weeks. As soon as mobile phone service was restored to many residents, Biffle knew his mission was full.
“They actually began speaking to their mother and father, and it’s type of chilling to consider that nobody knew whether or not they have been nonetheless alive or not,” Biffle stated. Although he wasn’t a police officer or fireman, Biffle was among the many first responders to assist the helpless, spurring an effort that finally included a whole lot of pilots flying their very own choppers and planes to assist in any approach they might, as nicely.
Biffle would finally be a part of an armada from NASCAR that included assist from different groups resembling Hendrick Motorsports, Biffle’s former group (Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing), and Joe Gibbs Racing, all of whom delivered provides to hundreds of stranded residents or helped them get to shelter.
Biffle returned to the world this previous Easter to go to with lots of the people he helped and to drop off over 4,000 Easter eggs to the grateful plenty. He was handled just like the returning hero that he was. Actually, simply a few months earlier, Biffle acquired particular recognition and a standing ovation on the NASCAR Corridor of Fame induction ceremonies in January for his efforts to assist the hurricane victims.
The previous NASCAR Busch and Truck collection champion did a lot throughout his flying and restoration stint that he amassed plenty of heart-wrenching tales. One story stands out particularly, he instructed the TV station.
“I catch out of the nook of my eye, on the very backside of this basin, I feel I see a flash,” Biffle stated. “So we circled again round and certain sufficient we see this man on the very backside of this ravine with a mirror that was flashing us. If he wouldn’t have had that mirror, there’s no approach we’d have noticed him.” If Biffle have been nonetheless in highschool, he’d have been assured an A+++ for a report on “How I Spent My Summer time Trip.”
After he had finished all he might, Biffle finally did take that cruise to the Bahamas—a visit he had positively earned. However he’ll always remember the unscheduled detour that modified his life—and the lifetime of all these he helped.
