Homeland Security
Responsibility for flood risk management in the United States is shared between Federal, State, and local government agencies; private-sector stakeholders; and the general public. Federal agencies such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have programs to assist states and communities in reducing flood damages and promoting sound flood risk management. The authority to determine how land is used in floodplains and to enforce flood-wise requirements is entirely the responsibility of State and local governments. As emergency preparedness constitutes an important element of a comprehensive flood risk management framework, public and private levee owners and operators should consider undertaking emergency planning efforts in order to properly respond to potential flood events, and other natural or manmade incidents that could result in human casualties, property destruction, and economic losses.