if ever there was

[KLPNO]

Hello everyone

I'd like to ask about the meaning of "if ever there was" in the following context:

With squared shoulders, the caretaker faced the spoiled creature, explaining to her and to everyone, "This is an emergency situatioin, if ever there was. And I'm using the powers of my office, madam. Do not try to stop me.

 

[banderas]

Hello everyone

I'd like to ask about the meaning of "if ever there was" in the following context:

With squared shoulders, the caretaker faced the spoiled creature, explaining to her and to everyone, "This is an emergency situatioin, if ever there was. And I'm using the powers of my office, madam. Do not try to stop me.

if there was any emergency situation before (which he doubts) , so this emergency, we are facing now, is a real and a tough one.

 

[David L.]

What really is an 'emergency'? What one person over-dramatises and thinks is a crisis and an emergency, another person might take in their stride (=handle as fairly routine) and not consider as 'an emergency'.
As far as the caretaker is concerned, there is no doubt: this is an emergency situation -if EVER any situation could be called 'an emergency' and most people would agree that yes, this really is an emergency, then this is just that kind of situation. If ever a situation were to occur that people would regard it as 'an emergency', THIS IS IT.