Hurricane Irma Response

USACE. South Atlantic Division
Published Sept. 6, 2017
BG Holland photo

BG Diana M. Holland, South Atlantic Division Commander, leads discussion of plans to respond to a potential double strike by Hurricane Irma.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, South Atlantic Division in Atlanta activated its resources in coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to prepare for storm assessment, response and recovery in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The division remains in close contact with federal, state, and local officials in order to best anticipate the appropriate level of support requirements should Hurricane Irma make landfall in the southeastern United States.

Corps of Engineers emergency response missions in support of FEMA include infrastructure assessment, emergency power (installing generators at affected public facilities), debris removal, temporary housing, temporary roofing, and engineering support.

Corps staff is making final preparations for potential storm impacts to water control structures, canals, and levees. Construction contractors have begun securing equipment and construction sites.   In addition, water is being released from Lake Okeechobee in anticipation of rainfall and run-off generated from the storm.  

 As of Wednesday, 6 September, the South Atlantic Division and the five districts have activated their Emergency Operations.