Forecasters predict a heightened threat from the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season, as significant parts of the Caribbean and South Texas are still reeling from the devastating consequences of previous storms, rendering their warnings increasingly plausible.
Beryl, fueled by abnormally high ocean temperatures, rapidly intensified into a significant hurricane and became the strongest Category 4 storm on record in June. Its speedy intensification was marked by a surge in sustained winds exceeding 35 mph within a 24-hour period.
“The rapid intensification of near-coastal tropical cyclones poses one of the most pressing challenges currently facing hurricane forecasters and emergency management professionals,” says Christopher Todd, Government Director at AIRT, a leading 501(c) non-profit organization advancing drones for good, and Founder/President of Airborne Response, a Florida-based UAS company. “As intensified storm systems unfold with unprecedented speed, the urgency to deploy unmanned aerial systems (UAS) assets is heightened, condensing decision-making timelines.”
Todd, a seasoned pilot and Licensed Emergency Manager (CEM), is widely regarded as one of the key experts in the industrial deployment of sUAS for hurricane response missions. He highlights not only Hurricane Beryl but also Hurricanes Idalia and Otis in 2023 as prime examples of the rapid intensification phenomenon. Within a span of less than 24 hours, two systems rapidly strengthened from tropical storms to major hurricanes as they bore down on the coasts of Florida (Idalia) and Mexico (Otis), marking a rare event in recent history last year.
“As the clock strikes midnight, the threat of a tropical storm gives way to a devastating hurricane on your doorstep, leaving you wondering what went wrong. ‘You could have an actual downside,’ cautions Todd, emphasizing the importance of being prepared for the unexpected in 2024.”
Drone Coaching for Hurricane Response
To swiftly facilitate post-storm response and restoration efforts, the leading provider of Mission-Critical Unmanned Solutions and a subsidiary of Secure Professional Group, Inc., has augmented its team with over 100 new FAA-certified remote pilots to mobilize drone technology and expertise in support of disaster relief initiatives.
Working closely with Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise, SunTrax and Florida’s largest energy utility company, Airborne Response conducted a series of in-person and virtual pilot training workshops across the state over the past few weeks. A selection of experienced distant pilots offering commercial flight services were invited to attend the training to learn how to support community recovery efforts following a major hurricane strike.
“We are truly fortunate to collaborate with top-notch partners in Florida.” Without their assistance, we wouldn’t have been able to prepare as thoroughly for this storm season, notes Todd.
Airborne Response’s flight groups will leverage small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) to rapidly assess the situation of Florida’s energy grid, evaluate telecommunication infrastructure damage, and conduct aerial surveys to identify storm-impacted buildings and property, while also providing emergency services to facilitate a swift response to extreme weather events, including rapidly intensifying major hurricanes that severely impact critical infrastructure.
Todd contends that increasing the number of skilled remote pilots equipped with UAS assets and expertise around Florida will aid in combating the rapid intensification challenge. By pre-positioning additional resources closer to key critical infrastructure sites, Airborne Response can better serve its clients’ needs when disaster strikes. He emphasizes that Airborne Response has revamped its 2024 remote pilot training program to focus on preparing for rapidly intensifying tropical systems.
As the 2024 hurricane season commences, Todd emphasizes a heightened sense of urgency.
Distant pilots attending the Airborne Response pilot workshops gained comprehensive knowledge on the essential components of safe and efficient disaster response operations utilizing drones. The curriculum focused on key modules including FEMA’s Incident Command System (ICS), logistics for catastrophe response, staging area operations, UAS flight procedures for energy restoration, and demobilization strategies.
Pilots successfully completing the coaching routine will receive a certificate of completion, thereby gaining approval to operate unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in emergency response capacities on behalf of Airborne Response’s clients.
“We’re extremely enthusiastic about the roster of experienced distant pilots we’ve assembled for the 2024 season,” said Todd. “This diverse group of skilled operators brings a unique blend of expertise, skill sets, and capabilities that will enable us to rapidly respond and successfully meet customer demands as they evolve.”
Florida-based Airborne Response clients consist of prominent vitality, telecommunications, and insurance companies across the state. The firm leverages cutting-edge technology by deploying aerial drones to acquire high-resolution aerial imagery, expediting the assessment of critical infrastructure vital to ensuring life security. In September 2022, .
Airborne Response is expanding its network of on-demand catastrophe response flight companies across the Southern United States. To learn more about our team and services, visit us at [website URL]. Are you a remote pilot seeking opportunities? Explore our platform at [pilot portal URL].
As Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE, Miriam McNabb oversees editorial content while serving as CEO of JobForDrones, offering expertise on the drone industry’s most prominent companies and regulations surrounding this rapidly evolving sector. Miriam has authored more than 3,000 articles focused on the industrial drone sector, cementing her reputation as a leading authority in the field; she is also a globally recognized speaker and prominent figure within the industry. With a degree from the University of Chicago, Miriam boasts over two decades of experience in high-tech sales and marketing for emerging technologies.
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