In conjunction with Gov. Ralph Northam’s state of emergency declaration for Virginia on Sept. 2, the Norfolk District activated its Emergency Operations Center in Richmond to facilitate close coordination with state and federal agencies on pre- and post-Hurricane Dorian activities.
USACE serves as the lead agency to respond with public works and engineering support to coordinate long-term infrastructure recovery, and conducts its emergency response activities under two basic authorities – Public Law 84-99 (Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies) and when mission assigned by FEMA under the Stafford Disaster and Emergency Assistance Act.
Under Public Law 84-99 (Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies), USACE provides disaster preparedness services and advanced planning measures designed to reduce the amount of damage caused by an impending disaster.
Under the Stafford Act, the Corps supports the Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency in carrying out the National Response Plan, which calls on 30 federal departments and agencies to provide coordinated disaster relief and recovery operations.