As Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc across the south-eastern United States, cutting off entire communities in western North Carolina, a small group of private drone operators took the skies to deliver emergency aid. With roads washed out by landslides and traditional methods of relief slowed by the devastation, these volunteers filled a crucial gap, using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to bring essential supplies to isolated residents.
Jeff Clack, the chief supervisor of operations for Kentucky-based Bestway Ag, led the initiative. Along with two fellow drone pilots, Clack and his team landed in the disaster zone within days of the storm’s landfall. Equipped with a fleet of heavy-lift DJI drones, including FlyCart 30s and Matrice 30Ts, the team delivered food, medicine, and baby formula to over 100 people stranded in the Appalachian Mountains.
“Once we had clearance, we started flying search and recovery missions almost immediately,” Clack explained. His team, in coordination with local first responders and other volunteer drone operators from Asheville, deployed eight drones, many of which were fitted with public address systems to communicate with the people on the ground.
The drones proved indispensable in navigating the rugged, mountainous terrain where roads had become impassable. GPS data helped pinpoint exact drop zones, and in areas where communication signals were weak, the team used smaller drones to relay signals, ensuring the larger, cargo-carrying UAVs could maintain radio contact during their missions. Each heavy-lift drone could carry up to 230 pounds, allowing the team to deliver nearly two tons of supplies during their operations.
Safety was paramount during these missions. Using loudspeakers, Clack’s team warned residents to steer clear of the drop zones as drones made their deliveries, preventing potential accidents. “We don’t want to create another problem while trying to solve one,” Clack emphasized.
Russell Hedrick, a North Carolina farmer and former firefighter, also played a key role in the volunteer drone response. He used his connections with local emergency management services to coordinate UAV-based relief efforts. After persistent efforts, Hedrick linked up with an emergency operations center near Marion, where his team mobilized. His drones, equipped with thermal imagery technology, helped locate survivors and deliver much-needed supplies.
Despite the success of the drone operations, there was confusion regarding federal guidance on unmanned aircraft in disaster areas. The FAA and Department of Transportation (DoT) warned of safety risks due to the increased drone presence, leading to misinterpretations that the agencies were banning volunteer flights. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg’s statement urging compliance with temporary flight restrictions was met with mixed reactions from drone operators like Hedrick, who felt it was unclear and possibly critical of their efforts.
However, both Clack and Hedrick agreed that drone operators must follow proper coordination protocols to avoid becoming a liability in a disaster zone. While they observed some uncoordinated drone activity, their well-organized response exemplified how UAV technology can significantly enhance disaster relief efforts. Through careful planning and execution, these volunteers ensured that drones became an asset, delivering life-saving aid when it was needed most.
