Drones Changing Meteorology, Saving Lives

Drones are everywhere. Rapid AI advancements and readily available cheap hardware have lifted unmanned aerial surveillance into the stratosphere. Drones have already changed modern warfare while proving instrumental in changing battle outcomes without soldiers firing the first shot. Although nightmarish swarm drones are no longer science fiction, unmanned copters no larger than a toy also have an altruistic trajectory. Meteorologists and storm chasers can now use drones for aerial reconnaissance of tornado damage, giving scientists a better understanding of a tornado’s behavior following a touchdown. By flying through the lower atmosphere, weather drones, fitted with delicate sensors, can gather atmospheric conditions, such as humidity, wind speed direction, and cloud formations. Although no technology surpasses the instant returns of radar, drones, like the weather ballooned predecessors, complement existing empirical data in the perpetual quest for storm warning improvements. 

Drone Captures Iowa Tornado Destruction

Drone technology was tested following a recent Iowa tornado that killed at least one resident. The small remote-controlled aircraft took to the clearing Midwest skies to survey the tornado’s carnage while first responders sifted through the carnage below. CNN footage shows the drone quickly panning in and out from the aerial vantage point of flattened houses and debris-strewn streets with ease while documenting footage that was until recently left to manned news helicopters. While the scope of the drone’s mission is unknown – besides the grim task of posterity – unmanned aerial capabilities could also assist rescue and recovery operations as firefighters fervently search for survivors. Drone technology also has the added benefit of reduced harm to storm chasers and meteorologists who routinely put themselves in the eye of the storm to warn residents of impending chaos. Why brazenly roam through an open prairie chasing a tornado in a dilapidated van when an unmanned drone can capture a funnel cloud from a bird’s eye view?

Evolving Technologies Saves Lives

Drones are no longer science fiction. Aerial reconnaissance will continue to reshape how we live and work, but it’s not the only technology changing our approach to hazards. While steel has remained the pillar of structurally sound construction since the Industrial Revolution, advances in metallurgy have decreased its footprint without sacrificing steel’s tensile strength. Thinner, more versatile steel panels have replaced lumbering I-beams with unmatched structural integrity at a fraction of the weight. Heeding these advancements, Elephant Safe Rooms has incorporated revolutionary steel paneling into our panelized safe room line for maximum lifesaving capabilities. Our panelized safe room kits offer the same protection as our underground bunkers with reduced pricing, which is something we can all live with. Furthermore, our panelized kits save space by utilizing existing rooms and office space by retrofitting them with solid steel panels without disturbing surrounding infrastructure. All you need are a few hand tools to transform a small bedroom or closet into a superior lifesaving steel fortress. Join the steel revolution. Contact us today for a free quote and consultation!