Shamrock+ Deploys Drone Technology to Assist with North Carolina’s Recovery After Hurricane Helene
(SAVANNAH, GA / ASHEVILLE, NC) – Shamrock+ has mobilized its expert team of FAA-certified drone pilots and experienced visual observers to assist with continuing disaster relief efforts in western North Carolina, capturing critical aerial footage to assess the widespread damage caused by Hurricane Helene in September of 2024. Partnering with JBW Federal and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the team is focusing on surveying debris in and around the region’s streams and waterways, where flooding and storm surges left behind a massive trail of destruction. The effort began on February 6th and is still ongoing in North Carolina. The project is contracted with JBW Federal.
Hurricane Helene brought catastrophic rainfall, powerful winds, and tornadoes, making it one of the deadliest U.S. storms of the 21st century, according to the North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management. Torrential rains pushed rivers and streams to record-breaking levels, causing 1,000-year flood events across multiple counties. Officials estimate that 50 million cubic yards of debris must be either recycled or transported to landfills—a daunting challenge for recovery efforts.
“Shamrock+ is once again stepping up to support disaster recovery where it all began,” said Jim Lee, CEO of Shamrock+. “Our expertise in aerial imaging allows us to provide precise data that decision-makers rely on to assess damage, plan cleanup operations, and help communities rebuild.”
Shamrock+’s connection to disaster relief runs deep. The company’s roots trace back to Hurricane Matthew in 2016, when founders Jim Lee and Ryan Murphy first met while working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Temporary Power Planning and Response Team in North Carolina. Supporting FEMA-led restoration efforts, they helped restore power to critical public facilities in the wake of widespread devastation. That mission laid the groundwork for what would become Shamrock Drones, which has since evolved into Shamrock+, a leading provider of drone-based imaging, 3D scanning, and reality capture solutions.
Based in Savannah, GA, Shamrock+ specializes in high-resolution aerial photography, LiDAR mapping, and 3D modeling, serving the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industries. Their cutting-edge technology provides realistic and data-rich visualizations that help streamline damage assessments, inform rebuilding strategies, and optimize recovery efforts.
With Hurricane Helene leaving historic destruction in western North Carolina, Shamrock+ has come full circle—returning to the field not just as first responders but as a trusted visual solutions partner, using advanced technology to support long-term recovery and resilience efforts.
ABOUT SHAMROCK+
Shamrock+, a service-disabled veteran-owned business headquartered in Savannah, specializes in professional photography, 3D scanning, drone services, and reality capture solutions tailored to the needs of the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industries. The company’s mission is to provide clients with innovative visual tools that bring projects to life, from aerial photography and LiDAR mapping to interactive 3D virtual tours. Shamrock+ serves Savannah, GA and the surrounding areas. For more information about Shamrock+ and its innovative services, visit https://shamrockplus.com/, call 912.387.0884, or send an email to [email protected]. The Shamrock+ office is located at 110 Oglethorpe Professional Blvd, Savannah, GA 31406.