State of emergency

A state of emergency is a situation in which a government is empowered to put through policies that it would normally not be permitted to do, for the safety and protection of its citizens. A government can declare such a state before, during, or even after a natural disaster, civil unrest, armed conflict, medical pandemic or epidemic or other biosecurity risk.

Though it sounds alarming, it is reserved for serious situations after a natural disaster occurrence, but it has important technical ramifications, easing a city or state's access to federal aid.