INSIDE ICF
Meet Omar Lopez.

Series: Powered by purpose

He’s rebuilding communities with drones.

Recovery and relief from violent storms can be painfully slow. When storms hit, it can take years for communities to rebuild. That's years without the benefit of homes and schools and other buildings that are the lifeblood of a community.

When Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, Omar’s life and career changed forever. Today, he’s a drone pilot, using advanced 3D and infrared technologies. He conducts damage assessments—that used to take large teams months to complete—in just a few hours. In doing so, he’s helping to accelerate the deployment of relief funds that get important community spaces reopened faster. Families in new homes. Students back in classrooms. A more resilient island.