§ 10-3. Declaration of disaster.

When in the judgement of the city manager and emergency management coordinator, a state of disaster exists, the city manager shall inform the mayor, as emergency management director, and request the mayor to declare a local state of disaster under the provisions of the Texas Disaster Act.

(a)

A disaster is an occurrence or imminent threat of the occurrence of widespread or severe damage, injury, or loss of life or property resulting from any natural or manmade cause, including, but not limited to, fire, flood, earthquake, wind, storm, or other water contamination, volcanic activity, epidemic air contamination, blight, drought, infestation, aircraft accident, hazardous chemical release, explosion, riot, hostile military or paramilitary action, acts of terrorism, energy emergency, or other public calamity requiring emergency action.

(b)

Any such local state of disaster declared by the mayor continues in force until such time as the city council has been able to meet and consider the existing situation. The council determines the extent of disaster and may either ratify the declaration, if still in effect at the time of meeting, extend or renew the declaration, if it has expired and is warranted by the situation, or declare the state of disaster to be ended. In no event may a local state of disaster, declared by the mayor, continue in effect for a period in excess of seven (7) days without the consent of the city council.

(Ord. No. 7443, § 1, 3-25-99)

State law reference

Local disaster declarations, V.T.C.A., Government Code § 418.108.