### Question
What is the definition of emergency?


### Answer
The definition of **emergency** is as follows in *46 U.S.C. § 50308*:

> a natural disaster affecting a wide area (such as a flood, hurricane, tidal wave, earthquake, severe storm, or landslide) or a catastrophic failure from any external cause, that impacts the United States maritime transportation system and as a result of which—


(A) the Governor of a State has declared an emergency and the Maritime Administrator, in consultation with the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Administration,[1](#50308_1_target) has concurred in the declaration

#### Citation:
  - *46 U.S.C. § 50308*
  - Heading: **Subtitle V-Merchant Marine > Part A-General > CHAPTER 503-ADMINISTRATIVE**

