(Washington, DC) DC City Administrator John Koskinen today signed an executive order declaring a state of public emergency in the District of Columbia as a result of the intense winter storm that forecasters are calling one of the top five snowstorms in DC history.

The public emergency empowers the Mayor to implement portions of the District Response Plan (DRP) without regard to established operating procedures related to entering into contracts, incurring obligations, rental of equipment and the purchase of supplies and materials.

This means that the city can now purchase food for emergency workers (prohibited under non-emergency conditions) and replenish needed supplies without going through the normal procurement process.

The emergency also gives the Mayor other special powers, including the authority to call upon the resources of the National Guard. If necessary, he can also turn off public utilities, issue orders governing the allocation and distribution of food, direct a change in hours of operation of private businesses, establish new public emergency service units or expand existing government units charged with addressing emergencies, and exercise operational direction over all DC government departments and agencies.

By law, the public emergency can be in effect for no more than 15 days but can be rescinded if the public emergency abates before the 15-day period is over.