Michelangelo "Mikey" Palomo Ramos: A Hurricane Hero

After the hurricane, four-year-old Michelangelo “Mikey” Palomo Ramos didn’t hesitate—he grabbed his little shovel, put on his Batman gloves, and got to work.

Fascinated by natural disasters, Mikey never imagined he’d experience one firsthand. But when the storm left his Asheville neighborhood covered in fallen trees and mudslides, he took action. Seeing a neighbor’s driveway blocked by a mudslide, Mikey joined the cleanup effort—digging for hours alongside adults with chainsaws, determined to help clear the road.

Though the hurricane left him feeling sad and angry, Mikey turned those feelings into action, proving that even the smallest hands can make a big difference. Today, he continues to process the event through his drawings, capturing emergency vehicles, distribution centers, and the strength of his community coming together.

Young Mikey’s kindness, resilience, and determination is an inspiration to us all. He is a real superhero!