California Code, Government Code - GOV § 29127

(a) Upon the happening of an emergency caused by war, fire, failure or the imminent failure of a water system or supply, flood, explosion, storm, earthquake, epidemic, riot, or insurrection.

(b) For the immediate preservation of order or of public health.

(c) For the restoration to a condition of usefulness of any public property, the usefulness of which has been destroyed by accident.

(d) For the relief of a stricken community overtaken by calamity.

(e) For the settlement of approved claims for personal injuries or property damages, exclusive of claims arising from the operation of any public utilities owned by the county.

(f) To meet mandatory expenditures required by law.