(a) When a catastrophe occurs in a State, the Governor of a State, or the Acting Governor in his/her absence, may request a major disaster declaration. The Governor should submit the request to the President through the appropriate Regional Administrator to ensure prompt acknowledgment and processing.

There are two types of disaster declarations: emergency and major disaster. Both require the approval of the president. In most cases, governors must submit requests for assistance. Those requests must confirm that dealing with the disaster is beyond the capabilities of state and local governments.

The President can declare a major disaster for any natural event, including any hurricane, tornado, storm, high water, wind-driven water, tidal wave, tsunami, earthquake, volcanic eruption, landslide, mudslide, snowstorm, or drought, or, regardless of cause, fire, flood, or explosion, that the President determines has caused damage of such severity that it is beyond the combined capabilities of state and local governments to respond.

A request for a major disaster must be submitted within 30 days of the occurrence of the incident or within 30 days of the end of the incident period, whichever is later, in order to be considered.