Here's what it means for a county to declare a state of emergency

27 counties in the State of Indiana have declared a public health emergency.

As of Saturday Tippecanoe County joined that list.

Joined that list.

News 18's marvin bills spoke with local leaders about what it means for counties to declare a state of emergency and how people should respond.

The tippecanoe county board of commissioners are declaring a public health/local disaster emergency.

The announcement is specifically linked to the spread of covid-19.

The question is what does that mean and what's next?

"the declared emergency is part of a normal process that we go through."

A process that has a practical purpose.

Commissioner tracy brown says this declaration will facilitate future financial reimbursement, funding assistance, supplies and other assistance made available through the state and federal government.

"we have done this in inclement weather.

We've done this in flooding situations in the past.

In tornado type events."

"we are a different city right now in west lafayette."

West lafayette mayor john dennis says this local disaster emergency is another way of stressing the importance of this pandemic.

"we're actually trying to make sure that people understand the severity of this situation."

He says people have to be more conscious about their actions.

"the reality that their behavior very, very focused and be a very contributing, significant contributing factor, to how long this situation last."

Emergency conveys a message of panic to many people.

Although, mayor dennis says that's not the case here.

"for us, emergency means that we have to take very specific action.

For everybody else emergency means something has radically changed it's going to have an immediate and sudden impact on their life.

This is not the case."

There have been many rumors indicating that there will be a full "lockdown" and restrictions on local travel.

There are currently no travel advisories or restrictions for the county.

In tippecancounty, .

People are reminded to continue maintaining a high level of awareness and to continue practicing social distancing.

The city of monticello is