§ 26-6. Emergency powers of mayor.

In the event of a manmade or natural disaster, actual enemy attack upon the United States, or any other emergency which may affect the lives and property of the citizens of the city, the mayor of the city, separately or jointly with the chief executive officer or county commissioners, or, in their absence, their legally appointed successors, may determine that an emergency or disaster exists, and thereafter shall have and may exercise, for such period as such emergency or disaster exists or continues, the following powers:

(1)

To enforce all rules, laws and regulations relating to emergency management, and to assume direct operational control over all emergency management resources;

(2)

To seize or take for temporary use any private property for the protection of the public;

(3)

To sell, lend, give or distribute all or any such property or supplies among the inhabitants of the county and to maintain a strict accounting of property or supplies distributed and of funds received for such property or supplies; and

(4)

To perform and exercise such other functions and duties and take such emergency actions as may be necessary to promote and secure the safety, protection and well-being of the inhabitants of the county.

(Code 1982, § 4-3-2(d))