FL in State of Emergency?

Question

Governor Charlie Crist issued a state of emergency for the state of Florida due to Tropical Storm Hanna. What does "state of emergency" mean exactly?

Answer 1

A state of emergency is a governmental declaration that may suspend certain normal functions of government, alert citizens to alter their normal behaviours, or order government agencies to implement emergency preparedness plans. It can also be used as a rationale for suspending civil liberties. Such declarations usually come during a time of natural disaster, during periods of civil disorder, or following a declaration of war

In some countries, the state of emergency and its effects on civil liberties and governmental procedure are regulated by the constitution, or a law that limits the powers that may be invoked or rights that may be suspended during an emergency. In many countries, it is illegal to modify the emergency law or constitution during the emergency.

One of the things it does is allows the state to bring in the National Guard if needed.

Praying that y'all do not need to, and everyone stays safe.

Answer 2

I live in Florida, too, actually. uhm, thanks for making me aware of this? But.

The National Hurricane Center predicted Hanna would most likely come ashore as a hurricane between Friday and Saturday somewhere between the east coast of Florida and the North Carolina coast. Forecasts Tuesday showed the storm making landfall near the Georgia-South Carolina border.

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist declared a state of emergency as Hanna, downgraded from hurricane status Tuesday but with ample time to regain strength, was forecast to turn to the northwest from the Bahamas. Emergency officials in Georgia and South Carolina went into 24-hour alert mode.