Here is an article about how amateur radio is being used in the Colorado disaster. The article mentions two amateur drones, one helicopter, one fixed wing with amateur television that are being used to locate stranded people. They have a 5 hour flight time.

Also mentioned are amateur repeaters that are providing the only communications for several isolated mountain communities.

http://www.arrl.org/news/amateur-radio-provides-critical-communication-in-colorado-flooding-response

Nomad
aka Ron, N1AHH
http://tinyurl.com/GDC-Welcome