top of page

Categories C  & D

Category C: Roads and Bridges

​

Category C, as outlined in the Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide (PAPPG), pertains specifically to the restoration of roads and bridges damaged by a disaster. This category falls under Permanent Work (Categories C–G), which includes repairs necessary to restore a facility to its pre-disaster design and function while adhering to all applicable codes, standards, and regulations.

 

Eligibility for Assistance

Restoration work on roads and bridges is eligible for Public Assistance funding unless the responsibility for repairs falls under the jurisdiction of another Federal agency. For instance, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has primary authority over certain roadways and bridge systems, and in such cases, FEMA funding would not apply.

However, repairs to disaster-related scour or erosion damage affecting a channel or stream bank may be eligible for FEMA assistance if the work is essential to maintaining the structural integrity of an impacted road or bridge. This includes:

  • Repairing washed-out embankments

  • Stabilizing eroded roadways

  • Reconstructing bridges affected by flooding or debris

​

Scope of Permanent Work (Categories C–G)

Category C is part of the broader Permanent Work classifications (Categories C through G), which encompass essential repairs needed to bring damaged facilities back to their pre-disaster condition. This includes:

  • Ensuring roads and bridges are safe and functional

  • Repairing structural damage according to current building codes and safety standards

  • Addressing critical erosion control measures to prevent further deterioration.

​Cat C

Roads and Bridges

Under Pier_edited.jpg

Roads may be paved, gravel, or dirt. Road components include, but may not be limited to:

  • Surfaces

  • Bases

  • Shoulders

  • Ditches

  • Drainage structures, such as culverts

  • Low water crossings

  • Associated facilities, such as lighting, sidewalks, guardrails, and signs

​

Bridge components include, but may not be limited to:

  • Decking

  • Guardrails

  • Girders

  • Pavement

  • Abutments

  • Piers

  • Slope protection

  • Approaches

  • Associated facilities, such as lighting, sidewalks, and signs

​Cat D

Water Control Facilities

Water Control Facilities are built for:

  • Channel alignment

  • Recreation

  • Navigation

  • Land reclamation

  • Irrigation

  • Maintenance of fish and wildlife habitat

  • Interior drainage

  • Erosion prevention

  • Flood control

  • Storm water management

​

Examples of Water Control Facilities:

  • Dams and reservoirs

  • Levees and floodwalls

  • Lined and unlined engineered drainage channels

  • Canals

  • Aqueducts

  • Sediment and debris basins

  • Storm water retention and detention basins

  • Coastal shoreline protective devices

  • Irrigation facilities

  • Pumping facilities

  • Navigational waterways and shipping channels

​

DSC_7869.NEF
DSC_7863.NEF

Restoring the pre-disaster carrying or storage capacity of engineered channels, debris and sediment basins, storm water detention and retention basins, and reservoirs may be eligible, but only if the Applicant provides documentation to establish pre disaster conditions, maintenance records are required. 

Channels, Basins, and Reservoirs

Flood Control Works:

Flood control works are those structures such as levees, flood walls, flood control channels, and water control structures designed and constructed to have appreciable effects in preventing damage by irregular and unusual rises in water levels.

Generally, flood control works are under the authority of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or Natural Resources Conservation Service and restoration of damaged flood control works under the authority of another Federal agency is not eligible.

Secondary levees riverward of a primary levee are ineligible, unless the secondary levee protects human life.

bottom of page