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Tulsa District
Emergency Operations
Responding to natural disasters, such as floods, is primarily a state and local responsibility. However, federal help is available in instances when the disaster exceeds the capabilities of state and local agencies. Under Public Law 84-99, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Tulsa District, can provide needed additional assistance in the event of a life-threatening flood.

The Tulsa District supports regional and national emergencies by providing engineering and other services to the Federal Emergency Management Agency during national emergencies. The work performed by the district is covered in the "Emergency Support Function (ESF) 3 - Public Works and Engineering" in the Federal Response Plan.
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
State and local governments are responsible for flood emergency preparedness, including training personnel and stockpiling flood fight supplies. The role of the Corps of Engineers is to supplement the efforts of the States and local tribal governments.

What the Corps Can Do
  • Participate in flood emergency seminars or exercises when requested by State and local officials. Maintain supplies of floodfighting materials, including sandbags, pumps, and other materials, to supplement State and local supplies during a flood emergency. Inspect flood damage reduction works constructed or repaired by the Corps and advise local officials of required maintenance.
  • Inspect non-Federal flood damage reduction works, when requested.
ADVANCE MEASURES PRIOR TO PREDICTED FLOODING
Advance measures consist of any actions taken by the Corps prior to flooding or a flood fight to protect against loss of life and damage to improved property. An immediate threat of flooding must be present before advance measures can be considered. The threat must be of a nature that, if action is not taken immediately, damages will be incurred.

Criteria for Corps of Engineers Assistance
  • There must be a reliable prediction of flooding based on existing conditions. Requested work must be technically feasible and economically justified. There must be sufficient time before the flood to complete the work.
  • Maximum efforts by local interests and State resources must be expended before Corps assistance can be provided.
What the Corps Can Do
  • Strengthen Federal and non-Federal flood damage reduction works. Construct temporary levees to protect life and improved property (removal of the temporary levees is a local responsibility). Restore the original design capacity of Federal projects by channel clearing and dredging.
  • Relieve the threat of flooding from possible dam failures by dewatering the impoundment, controlling the breaching, or strengthening the structure.
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS
In time of flood or coastal storm, the Corps of Engineers will undertake emergency operations to supplement local efforts in the following general categories: disaster assistance, disaster fighting, and disaster recovery or rehabilitation. Emergency measures are of a temporary nature designed to meet the imminent threat of flooding and to preserve existing protective works.

Criteria for Corps of Engineers Assistance

Corps policy requires local interests to furnish the following items of cooperation and assurances prior to undertaking any work:
  • Provide without cost to the United States all lands, easements, and rights-of-way necessary. Hold and save the United States free from damages due to the authorized work, exclusive of damages due to the negligence of the United States or its contractor.
  • Operate and maintain the emergency work constructed by the Corps.
What the Corps Can Do
  • Assist in rescue operations. Furnish technical advice and assistance. Furnish flood fighting materials, such as sandbags, polyethylene sheeting, lumber, pumps, or rock to stabilize eroding levees. Government supplies are furnished only if local resources are or will be exhausted.
  • Remove logs, ice, or other debris that is blocking stream flow and causing or is likely to cause flooding to improved property or to endanger life.
ADDITIONAL EMERGENCY OPERATIONS
The Corps of Engineers can also provide repair and rehabilitation of flood damage reduction works damaged or threatened by flood, and emergency drinking water to areas that have contaminated drinking water or that are suffering from drought.

How to Obtain Help

Contact your local officials. They will contact the proper person at the State level, and if required, the State will contact the Corps of Engineers. For more information on Corps of Engineers assistance or eligibility for assistance during flood emergencies, contact the Emergency Management Branch of the Corps of Engineers at:
Tulsa District, Corps of Engineers
ATTN: Operations Division
1645 S. 101st E. Ave.
Tulsa, OK 74121-4629
Contact: William Smiley
Tel: (918) 669-7325 or 7330
Mobile: (918)403-9857
Fax: (918) 669-7336

Document Date: July 26, 2010
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