Following a devastating storm that ravages North Carolina’s mountainous terrain, volunteers turn to innovative means of delivering vital supplies to isolated communities, leveraging the capabilities of heavy-lift drones to overcome disrupted road networks and bring critical aid to those in need.
DroneLife’s Options Editor Jim Magill takes a closer look at some of the most exciting and innovative drone technologies making waves in the industry.
Following the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene, a formidable and deadly storm that crippled virtually all major roads servicing western North Carolina, leaving hundreds isolated, a small group of innovative personal drone operators seized the opportunity to deliver vital supplies.
Jeff Clack, Chief Supervisor of Operations at Bestway Ag, spearheaded a team of volunteers operating heavy-lift drones that delivered vital supplies – including meals, medication, baby formula, and other essential goods – to around 100 individuals cut off from aid in the remote, mountainous region. Following the storm’s devastating impact, Clack and two drone pilots from Hopkinsville, Kentucky-based agricultural specialist firm quickly deployed within the affected area, where they rapidly coordinated efforts with local first responders and volunteer drone pilots to initiate aid provision.
“When we secured clearance from air traffic control, we launched into Search and Recovery missions almost immediately,” Clack said in a recent interview. Volunteers from the North Carolina community of Ashville, including various drone operators, have partnered with Bestway employees. Staff deployed a diverse array of eight DJI drones, including FlyCart 30 heavy-lift models, Matrice 30T mapping units, and Mavic 3Ts, all equipped with public address systems capable of broadcasting messages to individuals below.
Hurricane Helene, which made landfall in the Florida Panhandle on September 26, left a trail of devastation across a wide area of the southeastern United States. The Appalachian region of North Carolina was particularly devastated, as torrential rains triggered catastrophic landslides that ravaged mountainous terrain, rendering entire communities isolated and inaccessible.
“We identified numerous individuals in need of aid, though otherwise unharmed,” he said. “Once those in need were located, our team determined the GPS coordinates of suitable drop zones and relayed this information to the emergency operations center coordinating the relief efforts.” He added that once the location for heavy-lift air assets was pinpointed, they began flying these missions almost immediately.
With its unmanned aerial vehicles capable of carrying 230 kilograms, the airlift aid team successfully delivered approximately two tonnes of essential supplies, including meals, water, medical provisions, infant formula, and child sustenance, directly to the doorsteps of those in need. Given the treacherous topography, pilots usually had to navigate above rugged mountain ranges, thereby situating the cargo-carrying drone beyond the reach of the operator’s online platform. Utilizing their miniature aerial vehicles, the team deployed a network of tiny drones to establish communication relays, thereby ensuring seamless connectivity between the larger heavy-lift drone and its remote controller.
When the heavy-lift drone arrived at the designated drop site, Clack ordered the team to deploy a 3T drone equipped with a loudspeaker to communicate with the stranded individuals below. Recipients are cautioned to maintain a safe distance from the designated drop zone and afford the FlyCart a significant buffer due to the potential for unexpected incidents during its supply operations. “Security is our top priority, and we’re committed to avoiding any unintended consequences.”
In the aftermath of devastating incidents in Western North Carolina’s vicinity around Asheville, Russell Hedrick, a seasoned farmer-turned-former firefighter, leveraged his extensive network within the emergency services sector to spearhead the establishment of a pioneering volunteer drone response initiative.
As we listened to reports of widespread devastation and destruction, I contacted several local fire departments and discovered that none were actively responding. “I repeatedly contacted the county’s non-emergency lines, reaching out to their communications facilities, only to find that every single one was inaccessible.”
Undeterred, Hedrick persisted in his efforts, extending his network of private drone operators to potential partners who could help mobilize a drone-based relief effort in the region’s most affected zones. Following approximately 200 cellphone calls, he was positioned to collaborate with an emergency operations center near Marion, roughly 35 miles east of Asheville, which possessed the capability to deploy the drone assets.
As Hedrick loaded his custom-built drone trailer with a DJI T40 drone equipped for search-and-rescue operations, a Mavic 3M drone geared towards thermal imaging capabilities to locate survivors, along with his team’s essential drone-related equipment and emergency supplies of food and water, they headed to the disaster relief site. The entrepreneur ultimately partnered with Clack’s company, which possessed heavy-lift drones that could be leveraged for emergency supply deliveries.
Every morning, volunteer drone pilots received a mission from local emergency management officials, allowing them to search for storm victims in need of assistance.
Volunteer drone operators widely commended local emergency management officials for their swift and effective response to the disaster. Despite this, Hedrick was highly critical of the federal disaster response, particularly that of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the US. Division of Transportation (DoT).
On Oct. The Federal Aviation Administration recently published a notice on its website, alerting pilots to the increased risk of security threats posed by the proliferation of unmanned aircraft systems in disaster zones. Then on Oct. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg took to social media to swiftly remind private drone operators of their responsibility to adhere to all temporary flight restrictions in disaster zones.
Contrary reports on social media claim that the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are seeking to prohibit volunteer drone flights in disaster zones, sparking uncertainty among the affected drone operators who have been operating in compliance with regulations.
Hedrick countered that he interpreted Buttigieg’s comment as disparaging the dedicated individuals using their personal resources to support recovery efforts.
The director should have provided more clarity on the claim that drones impeded rescue efforts, said Hedrick. “After providing assistance, our team collaborated with another staff to establish operations in seven of the 11 counties severely impacted.”
Despite this acknowledgment, Hedrick noted that federal officers were justified in being concerned about the fact that some drone pilots had been operating in disaster zones without properly coordinating with local emergency officials on the ground.
“When discussing crisis situations, I concur with Pete that one should not hastily deploy drones without proper consideration,” he said. “The reality is that operating drones effectively requires going through official channels, ensuring you’re an asset rather than a liability.”
While acknowledging the prevalence of uncoordinated drone operations in disaster zones, Clack and Hedrick noted that many pilots were flying without initially consulting local authorities. Hedrick noted that a critical moment occurred on the evening of September At 29 years old, his team labored amidst the devastation of Little Switzerland, an area ravaged by catastrophic mudslides.
“We’ve long been perceived as the sole drone presence in that vast expanse of the county,” he said. “And we observed six distinct drone systems within a 1,000-foot radius, with most hovering near our own aircraft.”
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Miriam McNabb serves as Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a premier marketplace for drone service providers, with a keen interest in the evolving drone industry and its regulatory landscape. Miriam has authored more than 3,000 articles focused on the industrial drone sector, earning her recognition as a leading authority in this field and a sought-after speaker globally. With a degree from the University of Chicago, Miriam boasts over two decades of experience in high-tech sales and marketing for cutting-edge innovations.
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