Stormpoint Revolutionizes Disaster Response With Drone-Powered Aid

A nonprofit emergency response organization has been redefining how communities prepare for and respond to natural disasters with the help of drones. Based in Tennessee, StormPoint answered over 300 calls last year, providing critical aid during some of the nation’s most severe natural disasters.

Their success is powered by advanced technology, specifically the DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise and DJI Matrice 30. The immediate aftermath of a disaster is known as the response phase, where teams focus on search and rescue. This can be daunting, as teams must navigate devastated areas while often constrained by daylight.

Using the drones’ hybrid sensors, rescue teams can more easily locate individuals by detecting their heat signatures through thermal imaging. Additionally, the drones’ multi-sensor cameras enable rescuers to zoom in on details and pinpoint locations with the Laser Range Finder, operating effectively day or night.

From the team’s temporary home base, command staff have situational awareness thanks to the drone’s live-streamed video feed, providing a bird’s eye view of their surroundings. When roads are not accessible, the command staff can provide guidance on how to navigate to a missing, injured, or stranded person’s location.

When teams shift their focus to damage assessment, documentation, and recovery, drone technology remains invaluable for precise mapping of disaster areas. The drone’s wide-angle lens with a mechanical shutter can take overlapping images every 0.7 seconds. These images are then stitched into georeferenced 2D maps comparable to historical satellite imagery.

During Hurricane Helene, the DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise enabled StormPoint to rapidly map over 3,700 acres of flood-affected areas. The Matrice 30T helped identify critical heat signatures and visual clues in the search for stranded individuals.

The organization’s strength lies in its dedicated team of volunteers, all with extensive public safety backgrounds and FAA Part 107 certifications. Driven by a shared commitment to saving lives, these individuals devote countless hours to training and preparing to respond effectively when a disaster strikes.

“We put hundreds of hours into training and equipment, all for that one moment when you can make someone’s worst day a little better,” said Russell Bradshaw, founder and executive director of StormPoint.