在美国，政府官员可以在飓风或洪水等恶劣天气袭击某地区之前宣布进入紧急状态。
Government officials in the United States can declare a state of emergency before severe weather events like hurricanes or floods strike an area.
美联社报道，在飓风、洪水或暴风雪等重大天气事件发生之前，美国政府官员有权宣布进入紧急状态。这是一种快速通道，旨在为应对预期中的自然灾害、保障公共安全而释放资源。
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Before a big weather event even happens — like a hurricane, flood, or snowstorm — government officials in the United States have the power to call for a state of emergency, a fast-track way to free up resources to help with public safety during an anticipated natural disaster.
在州一级，通常由州长签署行政命令，指定预计将受恶劣天气影响的区域。该命令授权应急管理机构制定灾害应对计划并分配职责。
In a state, a governor usually signs an executive order that names the area expected to be affected by the pending severe weather. The order gives emergency management agencies the go-ahead to work up disaster response plans and delegate responsibilities.
例如，可被调动的机构包括负责搜救和整体安全的国民警卫队、负责执行道路封闭的交通巡逻队，以及提供紧急医疗服务的卫生部门。
Agencies that can be called into action, for example, include the National Guard for searches, rescues and overall security, the highway patrol to enforce road closures, and the health department to provide emergency medical services.
该声明允许州机构向地方政府提供直接援助，暂停可能干扰应急计划的州法规和条例，并允许该州与其他州达成协议以寻求援助。
The declaration allows the state agencies to provide direct assistance to local governments. It suspends state rules and regulations that could interfere with emergency plans. And it allows for a state to form agreements with other states to seek help.
这也是该州通过联邦紧急事务管理局（FEMA）向联邦政府申请财政援助的必要第一步。美国总统可根据州长的请求以及FEMA的损害评估发布灾害声明。
It’s also a necessary first step for the state to ask the federal government for financial aid through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The president of the United States can issue a disaster declaration based on a governor’s request and FEMA damage assessments.