News WithersRavenel presents at NCDOT Division of Aviation Hurricane Response Training. WithersRavenel's Aaron Varnau, Remote Sensing Field Coordinator, and Chris Godwin, PLS, Remote Sensing Technical Lead, recently presented at the 2026 NCDOT Division of Aviation Hurricane Response Training, sharing real-world lessons from the firm's Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) operations following Hurricane Helene. Hosted by the NCDOT Division of Aviation on June 3 and 4 at the Central Carolina Community College Public Safety Training Center in Sanford, NC, the two-day training brought together nearly 200 participants from state agencies, local governments, emergency management organizations, public safety departments, and industry partners from across North Carolina. The training focused on preparing UAS pilots and response teams to safely and effectively use drones and other emerging technologies during hurricane response operations. Attendees participated in classroom instruction, operational discussions, and hands-on demonstrations designed to improve coordination, situational awareness, damage assessment capabilities, and overall disaster response readiness for communities throughout North Carolina. "Training opportunities like this are important because they give pilots, agencies, and response partners a chance to talk through real-world challenges before they happen," said Varnau. "After Hurricane Helene, our team saw firsthand how valuable UAS, remote sensing, and clear field procedures can be when access is limited and decisions need to be made quickly. Chris and I wanted to share what worked for us, what we learned in the field, and how those lessons can help others be better prepared for similar events across North Carolina." Applying Hurricane Helene lessons to North Carolina's coast. During their presentation, Varnau and Godwin focused on the tools, procedures, and field practices that proved most useful during WithersRavenel's on-demand aerial systems operations after Hurricane Helene. Their discussion also explored how those lessons can be adapted to hurricane response along North Carolina's coast, where flooding, storm surge, roadway washouts, debris, utility impacts, shoreline changes, and rapidly changing site conditions can create challenges for local governments, state agencies, and emergency response teams. The presentation drew from WithersRavenel's work on the NCDOT Hurricane Helene UAS Response in Chimney Rock and Bat Cave, NC. In the aftermath of Helene, WithersRavenel partnered with NCDOT to assess flood and landslide damage in some of Western North Carolina's hardest-hit areas. Working on an expedited timeline, Remote Sensing crews deployed quickly to begin survey work and provide data that supported emergency roadway design. As part of that response, WithersRavenel's UAS team mapped nearly 10 miles of affected terrain using drone-based orthomosaic imagery and LiDAR. The mapped corridors included NC-9 from Bat Cave north to the Buncombe County line and US-64, also known as US-74 ALT, from Bat Cave east to Chimney Rock. Conventional control and property surveys were also completed along the NC-9 corridor to support the design engineer and maintain consistency in NCDOT deliverables. The project presented significant field challenges. More than one mile of roadway was nonexistent due to extensive flooding, and survey control and flight takeoff locations were difficult to access. In these conditions, UAS operations, drone surveying, and remote sensing technology helped teams safely and efficiently collect data in areas that were otherwise difficult or impossible to reach. The data collected helped road design and rebuilding begin in some of the region's most damaged areas. Additional LiDAR surveys were completed to support analysis of new stream alignments along Grassy Creek, Hickory Creek, Reedy Patch Creek, and the Broad River, helping NCDOT study erosion and hydrology impacts from the storm. Remote Sensing for disaster response and recovery. WithersRavenel's Remote Sensing team provides mapping and imaging services on land, in the air, and underwater. From a single property or multiple parcels to urban corridors, rural roadways, and entire communities, the team delivers start-to-finish data collection services that support planning, design, construction, asset management, and emergency response. For hurricane response and disaster recovery, speed and accuracy matter. WithersRavenel's investments in remote sensing technology, including LiDAR sensors, UAS LiDAR, low-altitude photogrammetry, aerial photography, infrared thermal imaging, multispectral imaging, terrestrial LiDAR, bathymetric surveying, and volume analysis, allow teams to collect high-quality data efficiently across a wide range of site conditions. These technologies are especially valuable when access is limited or when visible and invisible infrastructure must be evaluated together. By combining aerial, terrestrial, and subsurface data collection methods, WithersRavenel helps clients better understand how roads, utilities, water bodies, slopes, drainage systems, and surrounding infrastructure interact before and after major storm events. Why Remote Sensing, UAS, and surveying matter in North Carolina disaster recovery. Natural disasters underscore the critical role surveying and remote sensing play in rebuilding communities. When infrastructure is compromised, accurate data and precise mapping become essential to understanding damage, prioritizing response, and moving recovery efforts forward. For North Carolina's coastal communities, those same principles apply in different conditions. Instead of steep mountain corridors, response teams may be dealing with flooded roadways, damaged bridges, storm surge impacts, shoreline erosion, debris fields, limited site access, and damage to public infrastructure. While the geography may differ from Western North Carolina, the need for reliable data, safe field operations, and coordinated response remains the same. UAS technology can help North Carolina local governments, NCDOT, state agencies, emergency managers, and response partners gather timely information after a storm. Drone-based imagery, LiDAR, aerial mapping, and drone surveying can support damage assessment, infrastructure documentation, debris and access evaluations, high-resolution mapping, and coordination among project stakeholders. Supporting North Carolina response partners. Seth Swaim, PLS, GISP, of WithersRavenel also participated in the event, which included representatives from Frontier Precision, Duncan-Parnell, Wingtra, GEL Solutions, and North Carolina Emergency Management. As hurricane season is in swing, training opportunities like this help strengthen partnerships among North Carolina local governments, state agencies, emergency response organizations, and private-sector teams. By bringing together classroom instruction, operational discussions, and hands-on demonstrations, the NCDOT Division of Aviation Hurricane Response Training helps pilots and response teams better prepare to support communities across the state when severe weather strikes. From daily infrastructure projects to emergency disaster recovery, surveying and remote sensing services help North Carolina communities remain safe, functional, and prepared for the future. Accurate mapping, reliable data collection, and responsive field operations can reduce uncertainty, inform design decisions, and accelerate recovery in the hardest-hit areas. Through remote sensing, UAS technology, drone surveying, LiDAR, field-tested procedures, and adaptable response strategies, WithersRavenel helps North Carolina local government, state, and federal government clients gather timely, accurate information when it matters most. Interested in learning more about how remote sensing, UAS, drone surveying, LiDAR, and aerial mapping can support hurricane response, disaster recovery, infrastructure planning, or emergency operations in North Carolina? Connect with Chris Godwin or Seth Swaim to learn more about WithersRavenel's Remote Sensing services and how its team can help local government, state, and federal government partners gather timely, accurate data when it matters most. Chris Godwin, PLS. Remote Sensing Technical Lead Seth Swaim, PLS, GISP. Remote Sensing Group Director

News LandCon Charlotte brings regional development leaders together for forward-looking market discussion. WithersRavenel recently hosted its latest LandCon event in Charlotte, bringing together regional real estate, land development, and community leaders for a forward-looking conversation on what lies ahead for the Charlotte Metro Area. Held at Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, the April 2026 event continued the LandCon series led by WithersRavenel and Tobe Holmes, creating a forum for open discussion around growth, development challenges, infrastructure needs, housing demand, and the evolving real estate landscape across the Charlotte Metro Area and the Southeast. This event's panel featured: * Michael Peoples, City Manager of Gastonia, NC * Nicole Frambach, Market Manager - Land Acquisition at NVR, Inc. * Aaron Houck, Land Use Attorney at Robinson Bradshaw The conversation reflected the complexity of growth in the Charlotte market. While the region continues to attract new residents, businesses, and investment, that momentum comes with increasing pressure on land availability, pricing, transportation systems, infrastructure capacity, tree preservation, affordable and attainable housing, and community expectations. One recurring theme was the importance of partnership between developers, local governments, and communities. Gastonia was highlighted as an example of a city working to balance the needs of existing residents with the desire to grow responsibly. In a developer-friendly business climate that remains centered on citizens, Gastonia has positioned itself as an active participant in shaping sustainable growth. From the development perspective, panelists emphasized the need for open communication early in the process. As Nicole Frambach noted, many perceived challenges can be addressed when communities and development teams are willing to have conversations. Developers may be able to help mitigate concerns around infrastructure, housing variety, and project impacts, but those solutions often begin with dialogue. For attendees, the discussion reinforced that many of the challenges facing Charlotte development are shared across markets. Partnership with local jurisdictions remains critical, but it is only one part of the solution. With hundreds of new residents moving to North Carolina each day, the region must continue delivering a range of housing options while navigating rising land costs, infrastructure demands, transportation improvements, tree preservation, requests for affordable housing, and other growing cost pressures. Through events like LandCon Charlotte, WithersRavenel helps create space for the conversations that shape the future of land development in the Charlotte Metro Area and across the Southeast. By bringing together public-sector leaders, private developers, legal professionals, and industry partners, LandCon continues to support a more informed, collaborative approach to growth. As Charlotte and the surrounding communities look toward the remainder of 2026 and beyond, the path forward will require communication, creativity, and coordination across disciplines. WithersRavenel extends its thanks to Michael Peoples, Nicole Frambach, and Aaron Houck for sharing their time, insight, and perspective with attendees, and to Tobe Holmes for leading an engaging discussion on the opportunities and challenges shaping Charlotte land development. You might also be interested in... Tobe Holmes, AICP. Business Development Representative

News Cathleen Saunders Promoted to Director of Water/Wastewater Master Planning. Home / News / Cathleen Saunders Promoted to Director of Water/Wastewater Master Planning WithersRavenel is excited to announce the promotion of Cathleen Saunders, PE, to Director of Water/Wastewater Master Planning. Based out of WithersRavenel's Powells Point office, Cathleen brings 21 years of industry experience to her new role. She joined WithersRavenel through the firm's 2024 acquisition of Quible & Associates, further strengthening the firm's water and wastewater expertise in the region. Her background includes water supply, treatment, and distribution, wastewater collection and conveyance design, pipeline rehabilitation, stormwater management, erosion and sedimentation control, and permitting. A licensed Professional Engineer and previously NASSCO-certified professional, Cathleen has worked on sanitary sewer pipeline rehabilitation projects from analysis through design and construction. Her experience also includes helping communities manage infrastructure systems, support compliance efforts, and plan for long-term needs. Cathleen's experience and leadership will help WithersRavenel continue supporting communities as they plan for the future of their water and wastewater systems. Her background brings valuable insight to projects that help clients make informed decisions about essential infrastructure people depend on every day. "I appreciate the opportunity to take on this role and continue growing with WithersRavenel," Cathleen notes. "Helping communities plan for resilient, reliable water and wastewater systems is work that matters, and I'm excited to support efforts that focus on long-term success." In addition to her professional experience, Cathleen is passionate about outreach and STEM education. Through the Society of Women Engineers, she mentors college-aged engineering students at universities along the East Coast and previously served as a professional counselor to Virginia State University and Virginia Commonwealth University. She has also helped plan and organize numerous K-12 events that introduce students to opportunities in engineering. In 2018, SWE recognized her with the Distinguished New Engineer Award. In addition to SWE, she also mentors young professionals through the AWWA/VWEA annual mentorship program. To learn more about how WithersRavenel supports communities through water and wastewater planning, design, and engineering, visit its Water & Sewer Utilities service pages. Let's connect! Cathleen Saunders, PE. Director of Water/Wastewater Master Planning