The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is using drone and LiDAR technology to support debris removal efforts following Hurricane Helene, Asheville, North Carolina, June 23, 2025. These innovative tools help crews locate debris, verify truck loads, and accelerate recovery while ensuring safety and accountability (U.S. Army video by Kaylee Wendt).
For more than 250 days, John Fay provided consistent leadership for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Private Property Debris Removal mission in western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene. Serving as a zone manager, he helped coordinate rotating teams and oversaw key operations across 16 counties. As the mission nears completion, his efforts reflect the scale and complexity of long-term disaster recovery.