Eyes in the Storm: Drones, Data, and the Future of Hurricane Response on the Gulf Coast

Storm after storm keeps proving the same thing—Florida’s Gulf Coast is on the front lines. From Southwest Florida, into Tampa Bay and up through the Big Bend we’ve seen the impact of repeated hurricanes that aren’t just stronger—they’re arriving in tighter succession and doing more damage every season.

In 2022 there was Ian, one of the most powerful storms to ever hit our coast. It tore through communities with record-setting storm surge, destroyed infrastructure, and left entire towns unrecognizable. In its wake, drones were among the first tools to help assess the damage. Aerial images captured early after landfall gave emergency managers the clarity they needed to begin responding, especially in areas that were otherwise inaccessible by land.

We saw that need long before Ian. Back in 2017, after Harvey swept through Texas, and Irma carved a path through Florida just days later, it became clear that traditional response methods weren’t enough. That’s when LightMark Aerial now Lancer, got involved. With limited equipment and a lot of hustle, we worked alongside emergency teams to deliver aerial views that helped map flooded neighborhoods, prioritize routes, and locate critical damage. Even then, we

knew this technology had the power to change how emergencies were handled—and it has.

Today’s drones are no longer supplemental tools—they’re a core part of a coordinated response effort. They generate high-resolution orthomosaic maps that give responders a stitched-together view of entire neighborhoods. With LiDAR and 3D modeling, they can help us see elevation changes and predict where flooding will move next. Thermal imaging has become accurate and fast enough to identify heat signatures through debris or floodwater, giving search teams a huge advantage when every second counts. Live-streaming aerial video directly into Emergency Operations Centers is not just possible—it’s happening. The challenge isn’t the capability anymore.

The value of drones continues long after the storm. We've supported infrastructure assessments for power lines, storm water systems, and solar fields—helping speed up inspections and reduce risks to field crews. We've also worked with municipalities and private partners to document damage for insurance, permitting, and compliance, creating clean, detailed records that streamline everything from FEMA reimbursements to long-term rebuilding. And while it’s still developing, drone delivery has already proven useful in test deployments—bringing medication or communications gear to isolated areas when roads are washed out. What

used to be considered a backup plan is quickly becoming standard operating procedure in the right hands.

At Lancer Aerial, we’re working to expand that standard. We're building aerial response systems that integrate directly with municipal dashboards, giving emergency managers real-time access to everything the drones see. We're developing platforms that launch automatically based on storm data and GIS models, helping local governments respond immediately without needing to wait for outside help. And we’re investing in training programs so that counties and cities can build their own drone task forces, staffed by people who already know the local terrain.

We don’t need to wait for new inventions. The tools are already here. What we need is wider adoption, stronger coordination, and a willingness to see drones not as tech—but as tactical assets in the same category as any other first response equipment.

Hurricanes aren’t slowing down, but what can improve is how we respond. When used the right way, drones allow us to act faster, see clearer, and protect both lives and infrastructure. They give responders the edge in those critical first hours—and they help communities rebuild with better data, less risk, and more speed.

We’re not chasing a trend. We’re filling a gap. Leading the way. The work we do at Lancer Aerial is about pushing technology to serve people in the moments they need it most. And if we do it right, this industry—our industry—can help make the world just a little more prepared, a little more connected, and a whole lot safer the next time the storm rolls in.