North Carolina's use of drones during Hurricane Florence wins award

RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina has received a national award for its innovative use of drones during Hurricane Florence, when the devices were used to take photos and videos of damage and flooding.

The state's Department of Transportation received a top award in the humanitarian category from the Association of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International. The award comes with a $5,000 prize, which is being given to the state disaster relief fund.

More than a dozen NCDOT teams flew more than 200 missions, capturing 8,000 photos and videos from the September storm. The information helped state and federal agencies make decisions about emergency responses, detour routes and other issues.

The entry was selected from more than 140 entries worldwide for its use of drones in a way never done on such a large scale.

Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:

• Brothers charged in deadly hit-and-run after drug deal gone wrong, police say
• Police charge man in connection with deadly shooting at University Village apartments
• Man says he was carjacked at gunpoint on I-485 exit ramp in Matthews
• FORECAST: Warm, humid start to weekend as storm chances start to brew
• NC transplant recipient meets family of 19-year-old donor killed in crash

Associated Press