In times of extraordinary stress and of disaster, resulting from storms and floods, the director may declare the existence of an emergency and designate the location, nature, cause, area, and extent of the emergency if in his opinion:

general public of the State.

The department may perform any work required or take any remedial measures necessary to avert, alleviate, repair, or restore damage or destruction to property as provided in this article.

The director shall transmit any declaration made under this article to the Department of Finance with a recommendation and request that money be allocated from any available money appropriated for that purpose or to meet State emergencies within the meaning of that term as employed in this article, in order to carry out the work and remedial measures required to meet the emergency.

The Director of Finance shall forthwith determine if a state emergency exists, and if money is available in any appropriation or emergency fund for the work and remedial measures. Upon an affirmative finding upon these matters, he shall allocate to the Department of Transportation such amount as, in his opinion, will be required to meet the emergency.