Overview
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is prepared and ready to respond to natural and man-made disasters. When disasters occur, it is not just a local USACE district or office that responds. Personnel and other resources are mobilized across the country to carry out our response missions. The command is part of the federal government’s unified national response to disasters and emergencies and is the designated lead for ESF #3, public works and engineering-related support. USACE conducts its emergency response activities under two basic authorities – the Flood Control and Coastal Emergency Act, and when mission assigned by FEMA under the Stafford Disaster and Emergency Assistance Act.
In any disaster, our top priorities are:
- Support immediate emergency response priorities;
- Sustain lives with critical commodities, temporary emergency power and other needs; and,
- Initiate recovery efforts by assessing and restoring critical infrastructure.