<P> A state of emergency is a situation in which a government is empowered to perform actions that it would normally not be permitted . A government can declare such state during a disaster, civil unrest, or armed conflict . Such declaration alerts citizens to change their normal behavior and orders government agencies to implement emergency plans . Justitium is its equivalent in Roman law--a concept in which the senate could put forward a final decree (senatus consultum ultimum) that was not subject to dispute . </P> <P> States of emergency can also be used as a rationale or pretext for suspending rights and freedoms guaranteed under a country's constitution or basic law . The procedure for and legality of doing so vary by country . </P>

What does it mean when a governor issues a state of emergency