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

International Red Cross – The Venezuelan Red Cross’ hospitals and clinics remain active and continue to deliver care despite its own headquarters suffering damage. Rescue teams are supporting evacuation and search efforts as well as transporting relief supplies. Red Cross Societies in countries home to large Venezuelan communities are helping families find news of their loved ones and restore links.

Airlink – The global humanitarian organization helps facilitate transport and logistics and will mobilize airlines and logistics companies to send search-and-rescue teams, medical responders and supplies to Venezuela.

World Central Kitchen – The nonprofit founded by Chef José Andrés is organizing to serve hot meals to affected families and first responders. WCK has experience with multiple responses to disasters in Venezuela.

Catholic Relief Services – The international aid agency of the U.S. Catholic Church is working with local partner Caritas Venezuela to deliver emergency shelter, food, water, and medical care to impacted families.

Global Impact – The philanthropy adviser and intermediary has set up a Venezuela Earthquakes Response fund that will funnel aid to multiple vetted organizations, including UNICEF USA and Save the Children, which has had a team in Venezuela since 2019.

Links and background courtesy The Associated Press.
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.