When the President issues a disaster declaration, a massive relief operation is launched. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) takes the lead and works with state and local responders to supply food, water, and shelter to survivors depending on the severity of the disaster. This initial response can last for weeks or even months and is guided by the National Response Framework.

After a disaster, Congress may provide millions, sometimes billions, of dollars to HUD to distribute via Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds. Funds may also be allocated to mitigate against future disaster risks and losses by implementing high-impact activities. How these funds are used requires input from everybody (state and local governments, businesses, and local citizens).