US states can declare emergencies before storms to unlock Guard and medical aid
In short
Government officials in the United States can declare a state of emergency before a hurricane, flood or snowstorm arrives, a fast-track way to free up resources for public safety. A governor signs an executive order naming the expected affected area, which lets agencies such as the National Guard, highway patrol and health department prepare and respond, and is a required first step toward asking the federal government for aid through FEMA. The president can issue a disaster declaration based on a governor's request and FEMA damage assessments.
Why it matters
The explainer sets out how emergency powers are triggered before severe weather in the US, and how state and federal resources are drawn on. It describes a pre-disaster declaration as a prerequisite for a state to seek federal financial aid through FEMA.
Key facts
- In the US, officials can call a state of emergency before a hurricane, flood or snowstorm arrives, described as a fast-track way to free up resources for public safety. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- A governor usually signs an executive order naming the area expected to be affected. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The order lets emergency management agencies work up disaster response plans and delegate responsibilities. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Agencies that can be called in include the National Guard for searches, rescues and security, the highway patrol to enforce road closures, and the health department for emergency medical services. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The declaration allows state agencies to give direct assistance to local governments and suspends state rules that could interfere with emergency plans. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- It also allows a state to form agreements with other states to seek help. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- A state declaration is a necessary first step to request federal financial aid through FEMA; the president can issue a disaster declaration based on a governor's request and FEMA damage assessments. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- A state of emergency can be declared in the US before a severe weather event to free up resources for public safety. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- A governor usually signs an executive order naming the area expected to be affected. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The declaration is a necessary first step for a state to seek federal financial aid through FEMA. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The president can issue a disaster declaration based on a governor's request and FEMA damage assessments. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- No specific state, storm or pending declaration is named in the documents. The documents are an explainer of the process rather than coverage of a particular event, so no location or date of an emergency is given.