In the Changing Earth series, a national disaster leads the government to declare a "National Emergency." An emergency plan then takes effect, giving the executive branch and FEMA broad control to manage the chaos. It is fiction, but the concept and the "National Emergency" rules are real. These are the main points from our conversation.

Why the rules exist. In a nuclear attack or a severe nationwide disaster, the president, the executive branch and relief organizations need to move fast without the lengthy democratic process. This planning began in the 1950s.

The orders stacked up over time. Over the years, presidents have put executive orders in place that give the executive branch more control over resources such as labor, housing, raw materials, food and water. Executive order 13603, National Defense Resources Preparedness, signed in 2012, brought earlier pieces together under one order. It lets the president direct water, food, transportation, energy, construction materials, health resources, farm equipment, fertilizer, fuel, manpower and housing.

Executive orders are more common now. They are not spelled out in the Constitution. Presidents first used them to act when Congress was out of session, as a temporary step until Congress could decide.

Plans prepared in advance. The Atlantic has reported on unsigned emergency orders prepared ahead of time and ready to take effect when an emergency is declared. Some from earlier decades were released through freedom of information laws. Many have never been made public.

Why it matters. A "National Emergency" declaration can reach into everyday life and raises questions about the Constitution and the protections it gives. That is a concern no matter which party holds office. Our founders did not want this much power in one position. Know the rules before you need them, and build your own household plan.