DJI Mavic Pro Drone Captures the Destruction of Hurricane Irma in Satellite Beach, Florida

Drone enthusiast Gabriel Chupka manages to get some footage of winds ripping across Satellite beach.
Jessica Miley

Drones have played a massive role assessing damage during Hurricane Harvey and Irma. Both professional and amateur drone pilots have been able to capture mind boggling footage of the destruction caused by the extreme weather that has helped families and emergency services understand exactly what is going on in the Southern states of the U.S. and in the Caribbean.

This video from amateur drone enthusiast Gabriel Chupka shows what was happening at Satellite Beach in Florida. The Mavic Pro drone is constantly being thrown off course, but Chupka manages to control the copter enough to get some footage of winds ripping across the beach. 

Millions of people in Florida are still without power after Hurricane Irma whipped across the state. The massive cleanup project is just beginning as evacuated families can finally return their homes. The cleanup project for Hurricane Irma and Harvey could together cost the US economy $290 billion. Roman Gastesi, a local administrator for the Florida Keys, said, "It’s time to rebuild. It’s time to start cleaning up our paradise." The storm was the strongest to hit the Florida Keys since Hurricane Donna in 1960.

Residents returning to the hurricane-stricken areas have found surfboards in trees, fish in swimming pools and sea animals stranded in suburban backyards. Drones will continue to play a part in the cleanup as damage to inaccessible areas is assessed and monitored.