What does the state of emergency mean exactly?

BLUEFIELD, WV (WVNS) —  You may remember that Mercer County was declared a local state of emergency on Friday when what was then Tropical Storm Helene made her way through our area. But what does that mean?

Well according to the Mercer County office of emergency management, a state of emergency declaration is a tool used by government officials who are managing an emergency event.

It helps in allowing government to work more freely with state and federal agencies. It also assists in helping local government with the process of requesting resources to better help the community.

“More than anything it’s just for resources. For our responders, getting AEP, Division of Forestry, those types of things where they’re going to actually have more access to getting equipment and those things they may need for tree removal, replacing of polls, those sorts of things. So it’s really more about resources,” Julie Lockheart, Mercer County 911 Director.

The State of Emergency issued by the Mercer County Commission will be in place for 30 days starting from September 27th and ending October 26th.

During this time, Emergency Management will be working to survey damage within the county, and working with other agencies as recovery efforts start in the county.

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