How DJI Docks Reworked Hurricane Helene Response

When Hurricane Helene ravaged Asheville, North Carolina, in 2024, floodwaters turned streets into rivers, lower energy, and remoted communities. Amid the chaos, the Asheville Police Division’s deployment of 13 DJI Docks grew to become a lifeline, revolutionizing emergency response with real-time aerial intelligence.

Aerial Eyes in Unreachable Locations

Helene’s floods made conventional response strategies almost unattainable. Floor automobiles couldn’t attain swamped neighborhoods, and communication networks collapsed. The division’s DJI Docks—a mixture of DJI Dock, Dock 2, and Dock 3—modified the sport. These compact, automated “drone-in-a-box” techniques launched drones in minutes, delivering stay footage of flooded areas. “Drones gave us eyes the place we couldn’t go,” stated Captain Brandan Moore. Responders used the visuals to information rescue groups, saving vital time. The drones additionally deterred looters, with aerial steering serving to officers navigate treacherous terrain to guard property.

Mapping Injury, Restoring Hope

Past instant rescues, the DJI Docks mapped over 2,000 acres of flood-ravaged land, pinpointing injury to Asheville’s waterways—a significant water supply. Drones flew 3,280 toes above floor, capturing high-resolution imagery that floor groups couldn’t entry. This knowledge helped companies prioritize repairs and allocate assets. Chief Mike Lamb famous, “The drones didn’t simply present us the injury—they confirmed us the place to start out rebuilding.” By delivering actionable intelligence to state and native officers, the community accelerated restoration efforts.

A Collaborative Blueprint for Resilience

The success wasn’t simply technological—it was collaborative. Personal property homeowners allowed docks on industrial rooftops, increasing citywide protection. Ovrwatch, an trade accomplice, managed flight operations, whereas companies coordinated to share drone knowledge. “This was a group effort,” stated Rhys Andersen, CEO of Ovrwatch. “From rooftops to response facilities, everybody performed a task.” The community, constructed for Helene, now helps each day public security and future Drone as First Responder (DFR) applications, making Asheville a mannequin for drone integration.

DroneXL’s Take

Asheville’s story isn’t nearly drones—it’s about hope in disaster. The DJI Docks didn’t change boots on the bottom; they empowered them, proving that tech and teamwork can outsmart even the worst storms. For drone professionals and fans, it is a wake-up name: drones aren’t devices anymore—they’re important instruments for saving lives. However their energy hinges on planning and TRUST between communities, companies, and innovators. Asheville’s blueprint ought to encourage each metropolis to rethink emergency response—as a result of when catastrophe strikes, seconds saved are lives spared.

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Photographs courtesy of DJI