A state of emergency is a legal status that empowers a government to implement policies it wouldn’t be allowed to during normal times. States of emergency can be created in response to a natural disaster, civil unrest, armed conflict, medical pandemic or other biosecurity risk. States of emergency can also be used by dictatorial regimes to suspend human rights in order to act quickly.
A State of Emergency can be declared by a Governor, Mayor, governing body of a City, County or the General Assembly. The declaration typically includes a description of the area affected and lists prohibitions or restrictions on activities that are meant to promote public safety and security. For example, State of Emergency declarations may impose curfews, limit where people can travel and gather or even order evacuations.
At the federal level, a state of emergency gives the President significant powers to assist states. Federal assistance can include financial help, dispatching personnel and providing logistical support. Additionally, the President can ease some regulatory requirements on businesses, governments and individuals who are dealing with the emergency.
The Governor of Kentucky, Andy Beshear, recently declared a State of Emergency due to the 2022 KY wildfires and severe drought. A state of emergency can be revoked at any time by the Governor or until the situation is deemed to have passed. Localities can also enact their own state of emergency and may restrict some or all activity in response to a particular event or threat.
