(A) The Board of Commissioners may declare a local disaster emergency upon the occurrence or imminent threat of widespread or severe damage, injury or loss of life or property resulting from any natural or human-made cause, including:
(1) Fire;
(2) Flood;
(3) Earthquake;
(4) Wind;
(5) Storm;
(6) Wave action;
(7) Oil spill;
(8) Other water contamination requiring emergency action to avert danger or damage;
(9) Air contamination;
(10) Drought;
(11) Explosion;
(12) Riot; or
(13) Hostile military or paramilitary action.
(B) If a majority of the Board of Commissioners is not available, the declaration of emergency may be declared by one Commissioner and may be confirmed by the entire Board when a majority is available.
(C) Any order or proclamation declaring, continuing or terminating a local state of emergency shall be given prompt and general publicity and shall be filed promptly in the office of the County Clerk.
(D) As part of declaring a local state of emergency, the Board of Commissioners may prohibit travel on all or a portion of any county road. Travel restrictions shall not apply to emergency personnel or to those working to restore utility service. Any order prohibiting travel on a county road shall be given prompt and general publicity and shall be filed promptly in the office of the County Clerk.
(E) Any person who operates a vehicle on a county road in violation of an emergency order prohibiting travel commits a Class C infraction, subject to a fine of up to $500.
(F) A vehicle which is stopped or parked on a county road during a declared disaster emergency, whether attended or unattended, which interferes with snow removal or other emergency relief activities, may be removed and towed to a secure location at the owner’s expense.
PROCLAMATION OF DISASTER EMERGENCY
DECATUR COUNTY, INDIANA
The Board of Commissioners of Decatur County, Indiana hereby declares that a local disaster emergency exists in the following areas of Decatur County:
_____ Entire county
_____ Parts of county including ________________________________
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Due to hazardous conditions, vehicles are prohibited on all county roads or on the following roads:
This travel limit does not apply to individuals engaged in employment necessary to maintain a safe rail system, restore utility service or provide any other emergency public service.
Signed this date: _____________
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
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(Ord. 2005-4, passed 5-2-2005)