# Case Study: How The City of Aiken Cut FEMA Documentation Time by 90% After Hurricane Helene
> Revolutionary Drone Technology Transforms Hurricane Helene Disaster Response When Hurricane Helene struck, emergency response teams faced a daunting challeng...
Source: https://www.skyebrowse.com/news/posts/hurricane-helene-case-study
Published: 2024-11-01
## Revolutionary Drone Technology Transforms Hurricane Helene Disaster Response
When Hurricane Helene struck, emergency response teams faced a daunting challenge: accurately measuring and tracking debris removal across 13,000 acres of devastated terrain. Traditional methods would have taken weeks, delaying critical FEMA reimbursements and recovery efforts. That's when SkyeBrowse's Volume Tool emerged as a game-changing solution.
## Revolutionizing Disaster Response with Drone Technology
The City of Aiken, SC, partnered with SkyeBrowse to implement an innovative approach to disaster debris management. Using drone-based videogrammetry, emergency teams could:
- Generate accurate 3D models of debris sites in under 5 minutes
- Track volume changes across multiple locations simultaneously
- Document recovery progress for FEMA requirements
- Maintain sub-cubic-yard accuracy for federal reimbursement
## Unprecedented Efficiency in Disaster Recovery
The implementation of SkyeBrowse's Volume Tool delivered remarkable results:
### Time and Cost Savings
- 90% reduction in measurement time
- 160+ labor hours saved in manual measurements
- Eliminated equipment rental costs
- Accelerated FEMA reimbursement process
### Enhanced Documentation Capabilities
- Real-time progress tracking
- Comprehensive historical data
- Shareable 3D models for stakeholders
- Court-admissible documentation
*Advanced debris mapping capabilities with 2D and 3D visualization*
## The Future of Emergency Management
This successful implementation demonstrates how drone-based technology is transforming disaster response. Emergency teams can now:
- Assess damage more quickly and accurately
- Track recovery progress in real-time
- Streamline federal reimbursement processes
- Improve resource allocation efficiency
