The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers provides essential expertise and executes critical missions to sustain lives, support infrastructure, and enable recovery during disasters.


Mission Overview

Linked Nationally to Respond Locally

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is prepared and ready to respond as part of the federal government’s unified national response to disasters and emergencies.

Priorities
  • Save lives and protect property.
  • Support immediate emergency response priorities for USACE, the Department of Defense (DoD), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the Federal Government.

Emergency preparedness and response are primarily state and local government responsibilities. However, when a disaster exceeds state and local capabilities, the Corps of Engineers provides assistance to save lives, prevent suffering, and mitigate property damage.

Expertise

USACE delivers critical engineering services to respond to natural and national disasters, helping to minimize damage and aid recovery efforts. Under Public Law 84-99, the Corps supports state and local authorities in flood-fight activities and cost-shares in repairing flood control infrastructure.

When disaster strikes, federal, state, and local agencies rely on USACE for an extensive range of expertise, including:

  • Engineering and construction support.
  • Debris management.
  • Critical infrastructure assessment.
  • Temporary repairs.
  • Temporary housing or facilities installation.
Local, National, and Global Support

Under the National Response Framework (NRF), USACE is the primary agency for Emergency Support Function #3 – Public Works and Engineering. The Corps assists FEMA by:

  • Coordinating federal public works and engineering-related support.
  • Providing technical assistance, engineering expertise, and construction management.
  • Supporting preparation, response, and recovery efforts for domestic incidents.

Every year, USACE deploys hundreds of personnel worldwide to sustain lives, support critical infrastructure, and set conditions for recovery.

More information about our nationally-aligned mission: USACE Headquarters

Frequently Asked Questions

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Expand List item 13717Collapse List item 13717  What type of assistance can the Corps provide?

At the request of state or local government the Sacramento District can, under Corps authority, provide technical advice and assistance, undertake emergency repairs to flood control projects, assist in search and rescue operations and furnish equipment for local flood fighting. More info is available here:  https://www.usace.army.mil/Media/Fact-Sheets/Fact-Sheets-View/Article/475476/emergency-response/

Expand List item 13718Collapse List item 13718  If I have a flooding problem, what should I do?
You should first contact your city or county emergency management officials to determine what type of assistance is available at the local level. They will in turn request assistance from the state if necessary. If the state lacks the resources to correct the emergency, the state can request assistance from the Corps.
Expand List item 13719Collapse List item 13719  Is there an office to contact at the Sacramento District for additional information?

The Emergency Operations Center of the Sacramento District is available to answer any additional questions you may have.
 Email the Emergency Operations Center at CESPK-EOC@usace.army.mil.

Expand List item 13720Collapse List item 13720  How can I determine if I am located in a flood prone area and subject to major flooding?
Check the FEMA website https://msc.fema.gov/portal to find information on flood zones in your area.
Expand List item 13721Collapse List item 13721  Where can I get flood insurance information?
The National Flood Insurance Program is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Information can be obtained by contacting their Region IX office for California, Nevada and Arizona; and the Region VIII office for Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming.
Expand List item 13722Collapse List item 13722  What type of assistance will the Corps provide in a major disaster?

If a major disaster is declared by the President, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will activate the National Response Framework. Under this plan the Corps is responsible for response and recovery operations for Emergency Support Function #3, Public Works and Engineering. The Sacramento District would function as project manager under mission assignment from FEMA for debris removal, infrastructure assessment, emergency power, temporary roofing and critical public facility construction.   


Media

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Contact Emergency Operations

Email us at CESPK-EOC@usace.army.mil or phone at (916) 557-6911.