Disaster Response

From site assessments to recovery work, civil engineers play a crucial role in disaster response, ensuring that communities build back safer and more resilient.

Read the latest on disaster response

A completed modular home stands ready for transport in a construction workshop

How manufactured home anchoring can better withstand a hurricane

A study of manufactured homes’ vulnerability when hit by hurricane-force winds, focused...

A dense wildfire burns intensely through a forest

New framework makes wildfire risk management more effective

Probability-based methods capture the many ways a wildfire might unfold, say researchers,...

A path to issuing more accurate tsunami warnings after an earthquake

With tsunamis so random after earthquakes, researchers say forecasts would improve by...

It’s ‘go’ time for civil engineers bracing communities for Winter Storm Fern

Winter Storm Fern is expected to wreak havoc this weekend, with a...

The transition to the public sector has been a gamechanger

U.S. Army Corps engineers work on a range of projects.

What to do when tragedy strikes? Texas floods test engineers’ mettle

Those who protect the public ponder how to help and prevent future incidents.

Map showing non developed areas in green with different structures in color including yellow, orange, blue and pink

Prepare for disasters by incorporating hazard risk into community planning

Pairing an open-source scenario planning tool with FEMA’s flood loss estimation software...

A tsunami caused a ferry to land on a pier. The pier is strewn with other debris as well.

Meeting rising needs: Seismic design standards for piers and wharves

Standards, such as ASCE 61-25, enable these structures to be resilient, standing...

Smoke from wildfires rises above the palm trees and skyline of Los Angeles.

After the wildfires: Rebuilding and protecting Los Angeles

It will take a concerted, multidisciplinary effort to recover from the devastation...

Tragedy strikes as Myanmar earthquake again highlights importance of resilience

A 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Myanmar Friday was another sobering reminder of the...

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REFERENCES

Ways to help / technical tools / self-care

Colombian Red Cross – Search and rescue teams are in Chocó, one of the areas most affected by the powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck western Colombia on Monday, Aug. 10. As the true scale of the damage becomes known, volunteer teams with health capacities are fanning across affected areas. Restoring family links services are helping people locate missing relatives.

All Hands and Hearts – With roots in the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami that battered Thailand, the nonprofit has been in Colombia procuring emergency supplies for search-and-rescue teams, supporting first responders, and displaced households.

Americares – The global health and disaster relief organization has mobilized teams in Colombia to support relief efforts, including in Cali, one of the hardest-hit cities. It delivers medicines, medical supplies, and emergency funding to support survivors.

Project HOPE – Its Colombia team will deploy from their location in the east to deliver urgent relief to earthquake-affected communities and distribute hygiene supplies, water, and other essential items.

World Central Kitchen – The nonprofit founded by Chef José Andrés has deep connections in Colombia. When low-lying areas of Córdoba flooded in February, WCK teams worked alongside longtime local partners to serve hot meals to families forced from their homes.
U.S. Domestic

American Red Cross – Initiatives include feeding stations, first aid, temporary shelter, hygiene kits, clothing, emergency transportation, home repairs, and medical supplies.

The Salvation Army– Provides mass and mobile feeding, temporary shelter, counseling, search and rescue, medical assistance, and resource distribution.

Volunteers of America – Delivers initial response services to meet disaster victims' critical needs.

International

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies – Donations support local Red Cross and Red Crescent action in more than 192 countries. The world’s largest humanitarian network.

UNICEF – Provides emergency aid, including medicines and supplements for children and nursing mothers, temporary shelters for families, and longer-term support to enhance resilience.

Doctors Without Borders – Responds to medical emergencies around the world.

International Medical Corps – First responders who help those displaced by flooding with immediate needs such as shelter, water, mobile health services, and sanitation.
Please, if your feelings are so dire you are considering doing something drastic, seek immediate help. Call 988. U.S. veterans have a dedicated line: Call 988 + 1.

Disaster Distress Helpline: The national hotline with 24/7 post-disaster-focused crisis counseling – 1-800-985-5990

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: Helpline and services locator

National Alliance on Mental Illness: NAMI.org – 1-800-950-6264

National Institute of Mental Health: Help organized by health topic

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Mental health locations and providers

ASCE Library: Mental Health in Construction Collection – free

Caring for yourself after a natural disaster (document courtesy Lyra)

Coping with a traumatic event (document courtesy Lyra)

How to cope with distressing events (document courtesy Lyra)

Strategies for mitigating stress in civil engineers: ASCE Plot Points podcast, April 2022

Civil engineers need to maintain a good work-life balance: Wish I’d Known, Civil Engineering, May 2023

Mindful Engineering: An introduction to mindfulness for civil engineers
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4
Florida International University Pedestrian Bridge Collapse: Analysis of the NTSB Report

Performance-Based Structural Fire Design

Federal Emergency Management Agency – Coordinates and facilitates the U.S. government response to domestic disasters.

Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance – Leads and coordinates the U.S. government’s official response to international disasters.