Trump declares national emergency over COVID-19

Mar 13, 2020
Under the Stafford Act, a disaster relief fund will become available to combat the disease caused by the new coronavirus.
Surrounded by members of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, President Donald Trump speaks at a press conference on COVID-19.
Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

"State of emergency" isn't as alarming as it sounds

Mar 6, 2020
They're legal tools to help cut through red tape in a disaster, like the COVID-19 outbreak.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks about COVID-19 at the California Department of Public Health on Feb. 27, 2020 in Sacramento, California.
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What happens when the government declares a state of emergency?

Sep 13, 2018
How declaring a state of emergency allows states to prepare for natural disasters.
In this NOAA satellite handout image, shows Hurricane Florence it just makes landfall off the coast of the U.S. in the Atlantic Ocean on Sept.13, 2018.
NOAA via Getty Images

How states unlock money to meet hurricane expenses

Sep 13, 2018
Hurricane Florence is expected to make landfall later this week.
A motorist drives through heavy rain before the approaching Hurricane Harvey hits Corpus Christi, Texas, on Friday.
MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images