Disaster Response

Ways to help / technical tools / self-care

• How to help Hurricane Helene and Milton victims

  American Red Cross – Food, shelter, supplies, and emotional support. Give to the national group's Helene and Milton relief efforts.

  United Way – Short-term relief and help for survivors later. Find a local chapter to donate.

  The Salvation Army – Food, shelter, emotional, and spiritual care and other emergency services for survivors and rescue workers. Donate to Helene and Milton support.

  World Central Kitchen – Chef José Andrés’ teams set up temporary kitchens to serve meals to victims and responders. Donate at their website.

  Americares – Providing post-disaster medicine, personal protective equipment, and medical supplies. Give at its Helene and Milton donation page.

  Florida Disaster Fund – The state’s official private fund established to help communities recover. Give to aid Helene and Milton victims. 

  Save the Children – Providing child-focused supplies to storm-hit families including hygiene kits, diapers and baby wipes, plus classroom cleaning kits to schools, and helps restore child care and early learning centers. Give to its Children's Emergency Fund.

  Humane Society of the United States – Working to transport animals endangered by both Helene and Milton to safety. Donate to their emergency fund.

  Specific to Helene

  Manna Food Bank – Distributing food to those in need in Asheville, North Carolina. Donate at their website.

  Virginia's Mountain Playground – Disaster relief fund for Giles County, Virginia. Donate and volunteer at their website.

  Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee – Providing "Help After Helene" meals in eastern Tennessee. Donate at their website.

  Mercy Chefs – Hot meals for those in need in Asheville and Newberry, Florida, affected by Helene. Donate at their website.

• Contribute to disaster relief

  ASCE Foundation

  ASCE Foundation Disaster Response Fund – Assists civil engineers in addressing disasters and empowers them to assist in the response and recovery efforts and to design resilient infrastructure capable of withstanding future disasters.

  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

  High Atlas Foundation – The Morocco-based U.S. nonprofit is providing food, water, and shelter to families displaced by the Sept. 8 earthquake, and will assist in long-term restoration and rebuilding.

  International Medical Corps – These first responders are helping Libyans displaced by flooding with immediate needs such as shelter, water, mobile health services, and sanitation.

  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.

  
  

• Mental health resources for civil engineers

  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

   

• Other relevant guidance

  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.