The European Union has incrementally expanded its role in the field of disaster risk management (DRM) since the late 1980s. This expansion has often been very slow as states have regularly challenged the EU’s growing role in an area traditionally seen as core member-state business. Nevertheless, the increasing inability of individual Member States to respond effectively to disasters led to the establishment of the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) in 2001. The mechanism was significantly strengthened in 2019 with the establishment of the rescEU operational reserve and again in 2021 as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This article assesses the development of EU responsibilities in the field the DRM in the context of EU integration. In particular, it asks whether increased risk from natural hazards is creating a new driver towards European co-operation and integration. Will disasters, ironically, play a significant role in ‘rescEU’ing the Union?