The term “state of emergency” may sound ominous, but in reality it’s simply a way for elected leaders to make sure that public safety is protected during times of a natural disaster, civil unrest, armed conflict, or medical pandemic or epidemic. It gives state and local governments the ability to put through policies that would not normally be permissible, such as travel restrictions, curfews, and rationing of goods like food, water and power.
These powers are temporary and can only be used for the duration of the state of emergency. They can be revoked or modified at the end of the emergency period. During the state of emergency, it’s possible for the government to suspend civil rights, but certain human rights (such as the right to life and freedom of religion) cannot be suspended.
In modern democracies, states of emergency are used to manage a wide variety of situations from extreme weather events to terrorist attacks and even political protests. In contrast, dictatorial regimes often declare a state of emergency that lasts indefinitely to justify their rule and allows them to suspend certain fundamental human rights.
State governments can also use a state of emergency to gain additional resources that they might not otherwise have access to. For example, if a blizzard drops 3 feet of snow, a state of emergency declaration could lead to the dispatching of additional plow crews and the opening of food banks to help those who might lose power or have limited grocery options.