In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, MetroConnects is actively assessing downed trees across our extensive network of more than 500 miles of sewer easements throughout the county. Our teams, consultants, and contractors are working diligently to evaluate and clear affected areas. Given the scale of the damage, this process will take time, but we are making progress.

You also may notice the use of state-of-the-art drone technology, which will help facilitate our response to Hurricane Helene, as well as provide a safe and efficient way to document damages and identify needed repairs. Drones help to boost precision, help identify safety hazards, and provide huge amounts of data for our engineers, our Geographic Information Systems (GIS) team, and our Operation and Maintenance (O&M) team. Drones, which are technically called “Unmanned Aircraft Systems” (UAS), offer birds-eye-views of MetroConnects right-of-way (ROW) easements and sewer mains, manholes, pump stations, and other critical infrastructure that keep our systems running smoothly.

FAA Training
All drone operators have been certified through the UAS program and carry a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Remote Pilot License. The strict licensing process ensures that the drones will be flown safely and follow FAA regulations that prevent interference with local flight patterns and events.

Ariel Efficiency
The drones will be used primarily to inspect MetroConnects’ ROW easements to assess damages to our system from Hurricane Helene. The technology can inspect any infrastructure that is difficult to access, including aerial pipes that cross over rivers and creeks in densely vegetated areas.

How You Can Help

We encourage residents to help by reporting any visible damage to sewer pipes or large trees obstructing Metro’s easements. If you encounter any issues, please contact MetroConnects directly to ensure a swift response. You can reach us through metroconnects.org or by calling (864) 277-4442.

If you see a drone hovering over on or near your property:

• Look for posted signs in your neighborhood or area regarding drone usage by MetroConnects and its Contractors.
• Contact the drone operator to answer any questions.
• Please do not shoot at or attempt to capture the drone.
• The legality of flying drones varies by state and country. In South Carolina, drone operators must be at least 16 years old, and drones with cameras must fly at least 200 feet away from people, vehicles, buildings, or structures. Most states have privacy laws that prohibit flying drones over places where people have a reasonable expectation of privacy.

Thank you for your patience as we continue to address these impacts and prioritize public health and safety.