The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District is working in partnership with local, state and federal agencies in response to the severe storms and tornadoes, which impacted western Kentucky Dec. 10-11, 2021. When disasters occur, USACE works under the direction of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to support state and local governments in responding to major disasters.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District received a mission assignment from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to begin debris removal and disposal in Graves County, Kentucky, which includes the town of Mayfield.

The original mission assignment was authorized for the removal and disposal of up to two million cubic yards of debris with a value not to exceed $120 million.

*The infographic has been updated to reflect right-of-way debris removal operations. Completion percentage is based on approximately 400,000 cubic yards of debris in the public right of way. 

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District is managing right of way debris removal operations in the City of Mayfield and Graves County. Here is a zone map which shows where efforts will be focused. The zone map has been developed in close coordination with City of Mayfield and Graves County officials who helped to prioritize the zones. For tips on how property owners can assist with safe and efficient debris removal operations visit: https://go.usa.gov/xt3hY

Contracted personnel began making the last pass March 1. The last day to place storm-related debris on the curb for pick up was Sunday, March 13. New debris from demolition of structures is ineligible for pick up. 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has assigned an additional mission assignment to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District to remove leaning trees, hanging trees limbs, and stumps from the right of way in Graves County. This includes removal and disposal of any trees that are damaged with 50% of their crown destroyed, leaning 30% over the public right of way (ROW), broken limbs (2 inches or greater) hanging over the public ROW throughout Graves County. Additionally, it includes removal and disposal of large stumps within the ROW. It is important to note that USACE is currently only authorized to work in the public right-of-way and not on private property.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is prepared and ready to respond to natural and human-made disasters and overseas contingencies. When disasters occur, USACE teams and other resources are mobilized from across the country to assist our local districts and offices to deliver our response missions.

• In any disaster, USACE’s three top priorities are:
  • Support immediate life-saving and life-safety emergency response priorities;
  • Sustain lives with critical temporary emergency power and other needs;
  • Initiate recovery efforts by assessing and restoring critical infrastructure.
• Every year, USACE, as part of the federal government’s unified national response to disasters and emergencies, deploys hundreds of people to provide technical engineering expertise and to promote capacity development at home and abroad.
• USACE serves as the lead agency to respond with public works and engineering support and to coordinate long-term infrastructure recovery.
• USACE conducts its emergency response activities under two basic authorities – Public Law 84-99 (Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies), and when mission assigned by FEMA under the Stafford Disaster and Emergency Assistance Act.
  • Under Public Law 84-99 (Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies), USACE provides disaster preparedness services and advanced planning measures designed to reduce the amount of damage caused by an impending disaster.
  • Under the Stafford Act, USACE supports the Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency in carrying out the National Response Plan, which calls on 30 federal departments and agencies to provide coordinated disaster relief and recovery operations.