A Level I Disaster is an incident of such magnitude that the available assets that were designed and put in place for the response are completely overwhelmed or broken at the local, regional, or national level.

Due to its severity, size, location, actual or potential impact on public health, welfare, and infrastructure, a Level I Disaster requires an extreme amount of Federal assistance for response and recovery efforts for which the capabilities to support do not exist at any level of government.

A Level I Disaster requires extraordinary coordination among Federal, State, tribal, and local entities due to massive levels and breadth of damage, sever impact, or multi-State scope.

A Level I Disaster requires major involvement of FEMA—full activation of the NRCS and RRCS(s). For the NRCC, approximately 130 staff is activated. The number of staff at the RRCC will vary.

A Level II Disaster requires a high amount of direct Federal assistance for response and recovery efforts.

It requires elevated coordination among Federal, State, tribal, and local entities due to moderate level and breadth of damage.

A Level II Disaster involves significant involvement of FEMA—RRCS activation and possibly NRCS activation. For the NRCC, approximately 65 staff is activated. The number of staff at the RRCC will vary.

A Level III Disaster requires a moderate amount of direct federal assistance.

Typically, these incidents are primarily a recovery effort with minimal response requirements and existing Federal and regional resources will meet requests.

A Level III Disaster has minor-to-average levels and breadth of damage. The RRCS and NRCS are activated to support coordination among involved Federal, State, local, tribal, and territorial entities. For the NRCC, approximately 30 staff is activated. The number of staff at the RRCC will vary.