VIDEO: drones being used in Hurricane Helene rescue and recovery despite Biden attempt to stop them
"The moronic Transportation Secretary grounded these experienced private drone operators this week and seemed to prove Pete Buttigeig is criminally negiligent too, " says Eugene Delgaudio, president of Public Advocate.
The agriculture industry is stepping up to help Western North Carolina following the destruction of Hurricane Helene.
A group of ag drone pilots are assisting in the rescue, recovery, and relief efforts in western North Carolina. Emily Cave and her husband Preston farm in Surry County, about 3 hours northeast of Asheville, one of the areas hit the hardest by Hurricane Helene.
Emily says a couple of days ago her husband was using his drone for agriculture. This week, it has an entirely different use. "It's so far been missions that are confined spaces that helicopters can't get to," she says. "Or not quite medical emergencies, but they need supplies."
She tells Brownfield the thermal imaging on one of the drones has been incredibly beneficial in their efforts. "The one drone that had the night vision on it, they were able to fly overnight to find signs of heat coming out of homes," she says. "If someone had started a fire and the drones would detect warmth, or live bodies, and they could drop a pin on their remotes (location)."
Earlier this week the group helped evacuate more than 100 people without risking any other lives in the process.
She says this is the first time these drones have been used like this in the U.S. Cave says the drones can fly up to 20 miles from the operator and also have winching capabilities. She says one of the drones has speakers, allowing operators to communicate with stranded individuals and let them know help is on the way.