A state of emergency is a government declaration that, in the face of some crisis, normal political and social life is suspended for a short time. It can alter public activities, order specific action by citizens, and suspend regular civil rights.
Traditionally, states have a general statute that authorizes governors to declare a state of emergency, often defining it broadly as “a disaster or an emergency.” In the last few decades, however, states have begun to refine how they define emergencies and to include other types of events like disease epidemics in their statutes.
The federal Stafford Act (SS401) requires a governor to notify the President that an emergency has occurred in a particular state. The President can then approve a national emergency for the entire country, or it may be limited to certain regions. In either case, the declaration allows the President to deploy emergency resources.
A state of emergency can allow for the deployment of military personnel in addition to police and firefighters. The military can also be used to deliver supplies in dangerous conditions or to protect buildings from damage during rioting. In the United States, the National Joint Operations Center is activated under a state of emergency. This can be a major resource in managing response and recovery efforts.
Local governments can also impose restrictions during a state of emergency, for example, limiting sales of certain products and services. Local governments can also restrict movement on public roads to reduce traffic congestion.