This article describes two large institutional catastrophes as well as the damage wrought by Hurricane Katrina, in an effort to underscore the importance of creating a nonprofit entity--the National Disaster Center for Cultural Property (NDC), capable of implementing an effective response in situations where local resources and expertise are overwhelmed and cultural property is at risk. This catastrophes include the June 8, 2001 floodwaters from Tropical Storm Allison which filled the lower level of the University of Houston's O'Quinn Law Library and the July 28, 1997 floodwaters which filled the ground floor of Morgan Library.