Lessons from Hurricane Helene: How UAVs Supported Emergency Response in Western North Carolina

The response to Hurricane Helene demonstrated both the challenges and opportunities of using uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) in disaster management. As a Category 4 hurricane, Helene caused massive devastation across Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and other southeastern states, leaving more than 230 dead and causing an estimated $200 billion in damages. The storm’s record-breaking rainfall led to landslides, widespread flooding, and infrastructure failures, leaving many communities cut off from communication and critical resources.

At the National Public Safety UAS Conference hosted by DRONERESPONDERS, Captain Brandon Moore of the Asheville Police Department (APD) shared insights from their UAV operations during Hurricane Helene’s aftermath in Western North Carolina, highlighting both successes and critical lessons learned.

The Role of UAVs in Disaster Response

Despite having a patrol-based drone program, APD and its partners quickly realized the limitations of their connectivity infrastructure. With cellular and fiber connections down, radio systems failing, and SD cards becoming the only way to transfer data, UAV teams had to adapt rapidly.

The New Jersey Task Force 1 (NJ-TF1) was dispatched on September 25, followed by Asheville’s search and rescue (S&R) operations on September 27. APD’s UAV unit played a key role in:

• Aerial overwatch and advanced search operations
• Surveying impacted areas and documenting damages
• Coordinating missions across agencies using flight planning tools

The teams faced significant challenges. The loss of city water infrastructure, impassable roadways, and repeated surveying requests from various agencies, including the Army Corps of Engineers, meant UAV teams needed to return to the same sites multiple times. The sheer volume of data required careful coordination to ensure that all imagery and insights were effectively shared with emergency management teams.

Critical Lessons and the Role of Industry Support

One of the biggest lessons learned was the need for robust connectivity solutions. UAV teams found that without Starlink systems or alternative satellite communication tools, real-time data sharing was nearly impossible. The experience reinforced the importance of a well-trained, proficient UAV program that anticipates the demands of large-scale disasters.

Another key takeaway was the importance of collaboration between public safety agencies and industry partners. More than 850 drone flights were conducted by 13 UAV teams from four states, with major contributions from vendors and volunteers who showed up to help without expecting payment.

Companies like Skydio arrived on-site, installed Starlink systems, and offered their support without compensation. Other industry leaders, including DJI, Autel, Axon Air, and Avionix contributed equipment, software, and expertise to keep operations running. Paladin provided remote drone flight support from Houston for three days, showcasing the potential for long-distance UAV coordination. Dronesense provided one of the most critical capabilities of UAVs during the response: the ability to aggregate and visualize multiple live drone feeds at once, providing emergency management teams with a comprehensive real-time view of the crisis.

Future Considerations for UAV Disaster Response

The experience of Hurricane Helene reinforced the critical role of UAVs in emergency management. However, agencies need to be sure that they are preparing in advance for the significant challenges that disasters pose.

• Reliable connectivity: Ensuring UAV teams have satellite communication options like Starlink to maintain real-time data transfer.
• Proactive coordination: Establishing clear agreements with industry partners and volunteer groups ahead of time to streamline disaster response.
• Cross-agency budgeting: Exploring creative funding solutions that allow police, fire departments, city departments and emergency management teams to share drone program resources.
• Advanced UAV training: Expanding UAV operator training in disaster response scenarios, particularly in search and rescue operations.

With continued investment in UAV technology and operational planning, future disaster response efforts can be even more effective, ensuring that communities receive faster, better-coordinated relief in the wake of major storms.

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Read more:

• Drone Technology Aids Hurricane Helene Recovery in North Carolina
• Unity in Crisis: How Drone Teams Mobilized to Aid Hurricane Helene Disaster Relief in Eastern Tennessee
• Drones Aid Disaster Recovery: Mapping and Photogrammetry Support Hurricane Helene Relief Efforts