Drones Search for Lost Items After North Dakota Storms | KFGO

Drones Deployed to aid Storm Recovery in North Dakota

Enderlin, ND”>

A Drone operated by the Northern Plains UAS Test Site surveils damage in Enderlin after a tornado and severe thunderstorms on June 20, 2025. (Contributed/Northern Plains UAS Test Site)

Enderlin, ND – In the wake of devastating tornadoes and severe thunderstorms that ravaged eastern North Dakota on June 20, 2025, unmanned aerial assistance has arrived. Drones are now actively helping residents locate personal belongings scattered across the landscape.

Sadie Rudolph, an Enderlin native now residing in West Fargo, initiated a social media campaign on Monday, appealing to drone operators to assist in the search. Her plea quickly gained traction, with over 180 shares within 24 hours, as community members sought help finding lost items.

“We’ve got a lot of people looking for things that have been scattered for miles,” said Rudolph, highlighting the widespread impact of the storm.

The extreme reach of the storm was underscored when a letter with an Enderlin address was discovered over 90 miles away in Ulen, Minnesota.

Northern Plains UAS Test Site Responds

Responding to the urgent call for assistance, the Northern Plains UAS Test Site, based in Grand Forks, deployed three drones and pilots to the Enderlin and Sheldon areas on Tuesday. victor Meza, marketing manager for the test site, confirmed their involvement in the search operations.

The recent storms, which included multiple tornadoes, hail, and high winds, tragically claimed three lives in Enderlin.

Residents are seeking help in locating various missing items,including saddles,generators,tools,utility vehicles,a horse trailer,and even a pickup truck.

“It’s not just clothes or things like that, but mainly trying to find bigger items that are still missing,” Meza emphasized, outlining the focus of the drone search.

First Time Drone Usage After Tornado

According to Meza, this marks the first instance of the northern Plains UAS Test Site utilizing drones for post-tornado recovery efforts. The Grand Forks test site is one of seven FAA-approved sites dedicated to researching the safe integration of unmanned aerial systems into the national airspace.

The organization has previously supported Grand Forks with aerial flood monitoring. In addition, energy companies deployed drones following the 2024 Christmas ice storm to expedite the location of downed power lines.

Did You Know? The FAA projects that the commercial drone market will reach $50 billion by 2030, indicating a critically important increase in their use across various industries.

Advantages of Drone-Assisted searches

“Manpower can be expensive and it can be exhausting,” Meza explained. He noted that drones offer a significant advantage in searching difficult terrains like swamps and bogs and allow ground personnel to focus on areas with more pressing needs.

“If we can save five to 10 people from going in one direction… it expands the search even more,” Meza added, highlighting the efficiency gains.

Drone teams can be operational within approximately 10 minutes of arriving on-site. While initial searches on Tuesday morning didn’t recover larger items, they did identify ample debris and metal poles that need removal before harvesting can begin.

Vantis System Enhances Drone Capabilities

The drones operating in Enderlin leverage Vantis, North Dakota’s statewide uncrewed aircraft system, enabling beyond-visual-line-of-sight flights. This state-funded network allows drones to monitor air traffic, significantly extending their operational range.

“This is more than technology; it’s neighbors helping neighbors, and we’re honored to be part of that,” said Erin Roesler, deputy executive director for the northern Plains UAS Test Site.

What other ways can drone technology be used to improve disaster relief efforts? How can communities better prepare for severe weather events to minimize losses?

Evergreen Insights on Drone Technology

The deployment of drones in disaster recovery highlights the increasing role of unmanned aerial vehicles in emergency response.Recent advancements in drone technology, including improved battery life, enhanced sensor capabilities, and complex data analytics, are making them invaluable tools for:

• Search and Rescue: Drones equipped with thermal cameras can locate individuals in difficult-to-reach areas.
• Damage Assessment: High-resolution imagery provides detailed insights into the extent of damage,aiding resource allocation.
• Delivery of Supplies: Drones can transport essential supplies to isolated communities.
• Infrastructure inspection: Assessing the condition of bridges, power lines, and other critical infrastructure post-disaster.

Application	Drone Feature	Benefit
Search and Rescue	Thermal Imaging	Locates individuals in low visibility
Damage Assessment	High-Resolution Camera	Provides detailed damage overview
supply delivery	Payload Capacity	transports essentials to isolated areas
Infrastructure Inspection	Advanced Sensors	Assess structural integrity post-disaster

Pro tip: Consider investing in drone operator training for local emergency response teams to enhance disaster preparedness.

frequently Asked questions About Drones

• Why are drones being used in North Dakota after the storms?

Drones provide a rapid and efficient way to search for scattered personal items and assess damage across large or difficult-to-access areas, saving time and manpower.

• What types of items are the drones searching for?

drones are assisting in locating larger items such as saddles, generators, tools, vehicles, and even debris that could hinder harvesting.

• How does the Vantis system enhance drone operations in North Dakota?

The Vantis system allows drones to fly beyond the visual line of sight, significantly expanding their search range and monitoring air traffic for safer operations.

• What are the benefits of using drones compared to traditional search methods?

Drones can cover more ground quickly, access difficult terrains like swamps, and reduce the need for extensive manpower, making the search process more efficient and less exhausting.

• Who is operating the drones in the storm-damaged areas?

The Northern Plains UAS Test Site, based in Grand Forks, is deploying drones and pilots to assist in the search efforts in areas like Enderlin and Sheldon.

• Where is the drone test site located in North Dakota?

The Northern Plains UAS Test Site is located in Grand Forks; it is one of the FAA-approved sites researching the safe integration of drones.

Share your thoughts and comments below. How else can drone technology improve disaster response?

What are the potential cost-saving measures associated wiht drone-based search and rescue operations in comparison to traditional ground-based methods for disaster relief?

technology is used in recovery efforts following severe weather events. Read about drone search and rescue operations, the benefits of drone technology, and future applications.">

Drones Search for lost Items After North Dakota Storms | KFGO: A New Era of Recovery

North Dakota, like many areas prone to severe weather, faces significant challenges in the aftermath of storms. Traditional search and recovery efforts can be slow and resource-intensive. However, KFGO reported on the innovative use of drones to locate lost items, marking a significant advancement in post-storm recovery.

The Power of Drones in Post-Storm Recovery

storms can scatter belongings, making it tough for individuals to recover their property. Drones offer a rapid and efficient solution,providing aerial perspectives and advanced search capabilities that traditional methods lack. Deploying drones for lost item retrieval speeds up the process and minimizes the time needed for property owners to locate essential items.

Key Benefits of Drone Technology

• Speed and efficiency: Drones can cover large areas quickly, significantly reducing search times.
• Improved Visibility: Aerial views provide a clear perspective of the affected areas, even in areas with difficult terrain or limited access.
• Cost-Effectiveness: Over time, drone operations are often more cost-effective than extensive ground searches.
• Safety: Drones can conduct searches in hazardous conditions, reducing risks to search and rescue personnel.

How Drones Are Used in Search and Rescue Operations

The process of using drones for searching and retrieving lost items typically involves the following steps:

1. Assessment and Planning: Before deployment, responders assess the storm damage and identify areas for the drone search.
2. Drone flight and Data Collection: Drones equipped with high-resolution cameras and other sensors are flown over the affected areas.
3. Image Processing and Analysis: Captured images and data are analyzed to identify lost items.
4. Item Retrieval: Once located, the drone’s coordinates or other indicators can be used to direct ground teams to the item’s location.

Advanced Drone Features

modern drones incorporate advanced features:

• high-Resolution Cameras: To capture detailed images
• Thermal Imaging: To detect items based on heat signatures
• GPS Tracking: Precise location data
• AI-powered analysis: Automation and improvement in the scanning process

Case Study: Real-World Example

After a devastating storm in a rural North Dakota community (hypothetical example for presentation purposes), many residents lost crucial documents, family mementos, and essential tools. Local authorities deployed drones with thermal imaging capabilities. Within hours, they successfully located a variety of items across a wide area. This is a simplified demonstration of the effectiveness of this technology.

Item Type	Recovery Time (Estimated)	Method
Important Documents	1 hour	High-Resolution Camera
Family Photos	3 hours	High-Resolution Camera with follow-up Ground team
Tools and Farm Equipment	2 hours	thermal Imaging and Ground Team

Future Applications and Trends

The integration of drone technology is rapidly expanding. Future applications of drone search and rescue in North Dakota and other areas might include:

• Advanced AI: Enhanced object recognition.
• Autonomous Flight: Self-navigating drones for more efficient searches.
• Package Delivery: integrating drone delivery combined with the search capabilities.

As technology advances, drones could become even more integral to post-disaster recovery efforts like other disaster relief organizations.