Surge in Helene Relief Efforts Led to About 30 Close Calls in the Sky

As Hurricane Helene relief efforts have continued, the aviation infrastructure has been put to the test at times.

On Saturday, Sept. 28, there were about 30 mid-air close calls involving planes and helicopters in the skies over storm-ravaged areas of North Carolina, federal officials told CBS News.

The surge in activity has also accounted for a 300% uptick in air traffic, according to the Federal Aviation Association and North Carolina Department of Transportation.

“When the images of the impact of Helene started to show up on TV screens, there was an outpouring of support and love from communities and people were trying to help get supplies on the ground very quickly,” said Becca Gallas, director of the North Carolina Department of Transportation division of aviation.

But, she added, “there were safety issues with the air operations.”

In addition to the issues in the air, at least two private planes suffered on the ground issues at airports in the area, per CBS. The landing gear on one plane failed to deploy, while another plane caught on fire. Meanwhile, two airports in western North Carolina ran out of fuel amid the onslaught of activity.

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Many airports have closed their hubs to private aircraft, unless they are part of the hurricane relief effort, CNN reported.

“Our team is working around the clock to make sure that all relief flights – whether they are to bring in supplies or search and rescue – are happening efficiently and safely,” Asheville Regional Airport spokesperson Tina Kinsey told CNN. “The efforts here are just unbelievable.”

One such effort is Operation Helo, which includes about 100 helicopters that has banded together to help residents who are located in hard-to-access areas of the state.

The relief organization delivers supplies and also helps with medical evacuations and search and rescue operations, according to its Facebook page.

“We’re doing the best we can to keep these people alive,” co-founder Matt McSwain told CNN.

To learn more about how to help with relief, recovery and rebuilding efforts from Hurricane Helene, click here.