Definition of an emergency 

What is an emergency or a major incident? There is little difference between the two if you are caught up in one. The Civil Contingencies Act defines to an emergency as:

• An event or situation which threatens serious damage to human welfare in a place in the United Kingdom.

• An event or situation which threatens serious damage to the environment of a place in the United Kingdom.

• War, or terrorism, which threatens serious damage to the security of the United Kingdom.

In practical terms, an emergency could be serious flooding, widespread lack of electricity over a long period of time or a gas leak. Any of these incidents could require residents to be evacuated from their homes. The emergency could be abroad but still affect UK residents.  This could be evacuation of ex-patriot citizens from another country due to increased violence in the area.