A state of emergency shall be deemed to exist whenever, during times of great public crisis, disaster, rioting, civil disturbance, catastrophe or for any other reason, municipal public safety authorities are unable to maintain public order or afford adequate protection for lives, safety, health, welfare or property.
(1995 Code, § 20-1)
Statutory reference:
Municipal authority to enact ordinances regarding states of emergency, see G.S. §§ 14-288.1 et seq.