The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is a major Army command with a broad set of missions and capabilities. One of its missions is to provide assistance, within its authorities, when natural disasters or other emergencies occur.

Emergency preparedness and response is primarily a state and local responsibility. However, in instances when the nature of the disaster exceeds the capabilities of state and local interests, the Corps of Engineers may provide help to save human life, prevent immediate human suffering or mitigate property damage.

The Corps gives emergency assistance top priority and provides immediate response using every resource and expedited procedure available. Assistance is limited to the preservation of life and protection of residential and commercial developments, to include public and private facilities that provide public services.

Our Mission is to implement the policies, guidance and procedures for responding to a natural disaster or national emergency under the authority of the District Engineer and Higher Headquarters. Our areas of responsibility are Florida, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Most common support granted under Public Law (PL) 84-99, Flood fighting, Field Assessments and Rehabilitation of Flood Control Works and Shore Protection are part of what we do. However, the Corps can be tasked by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide emergency assistance to do various missions under the National Response Framework (NRF).