(Newsweek) – Many states within the solar eclipse’s path of totality have issued warnings in the weeks leading up to the astronomical phenomenon.
On April 8, the moon will be positioned so that the entire disc of the sun will be blocked out in several U.S. states, plunging millions of people into darkness during the early afternoon. The path of totality will start in Mexico and extend across Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine before heading out over the North Atlantic.
The spectacle is expected to draw crowds from around the nation as people head to areas in the path of totality to witness the eclipse. Officials across the nation have voiced concerns about stretched public safety resources, an “enormous strain” on local hospitals and congested roadways.
At least four states within the path of totality have urged residents to stock up on groceries before the eclipse and the list is growing. Some officials have already issued disaster declarations ahead of the event, and some schools have decided to close, citing student safety.
Oklahoma:
A webpage dedicated to solar eclipse preparation for southeastern Oklahoma said that several state agencies are preparing for the eclipse.
“Oklahoma is expected to receive an influx of anywhere from 17,000 to 66,000 visitors to watch the solar eclipse,” it said. “The large influx of visitors to southeastern Oklahoma could overwhelm and backup the area’s road systems.”
The state warned residents to stock up on supplies like groceries and gas, implement several forms of communication outside of cellular phones, and fill up gas tanks.
Oklahoma National Guard “will provide first responders as well as units with hazmat response capabilities”…
Oklahoma’s National Guard is set to be deployed for the upcoming total solar eclipse, when as many as 100,000 people are expected to visit one county.
In a statement on Tuesday, the guard said it would assist emergency management to cope with “an unprecedented number of tourists” on April 8 in McCurtain County, in the southeast of the state.
The guard will provide first responders as well as units with hazmat response capabilities in case of an incident like an industrial fire.
Ohio:
Officials in Ohio have said that traffic delays are inevitable, according to News 5 Cleveland. The Ohio Department of Transportation is urging Ohio residents to fill their cars with gas and keep snacks and water handy in case of long delays.
Read More: The Great American Eclipse Of 2024 Will Cross Over 7 U.S. Locations Named “Ninevah”
Indiana:
Up to 1 million people are expected to travel to Indiana to view the eclipse, according to Indianapolis news station WTHR, and state police are urging residents to prepare for overwhelming traffic. State officials suggest keeping cell phones charged, stocking up on essentials and filling cars with gas ahead of the eclipse.
Though the following states haven’t encouraged residents to stock up on food, they have issued other warnings about the impending eclipse.
Arkansas:
In Arkansas, they actually held a “live training exercise” that simulated emergencies that might happen during the eclipse…
With less than a month remaining before the Great American Solar Eclipse, the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management (ADEM) took a significant step by conducting a live training exercise. This exercise was designed to test ADEM’s response to issues that may arise as visitors flock to Arkansas to witness the event. ADEM responders and other state agencies looked at possible scenarios, such as severe weather, traffic, medical emergencies, and communication challenges.
Taking part in the exercise were county emergency managers and representatives of the National Weather Service, Arkansas National Guard, Corps of Engineers, Arkansas Hospital Association, Arkansas Wireless Information Network, and Arkansas Departments of Health, Transportation, Energy and Environment and Human Services.
New York:
The State of New York is urging residents and visitors to “plan to stay in one place for the day,” as traffic was expected to be overwhelming.
Texas:
Officials in Hays County, Texas are telling their residents to do…
- Parking issues – lack of parking, fees for parking, having to park and walk to your destination (Please park only in designated areas and not on private property or in areas that cause safety issues)
- Traffic delays and road closures
- Longer wait times for restaurants (consider cooking at “home” instead or bring a small cooler with ready-to-eat food)
- More congestion (pedestrian and vehicles)
- Delayed emergency/911 response
- Cell service interruptions/lack of service
- Higher than normal stress levels and/or heated tempers
- Credit card machines not working (bring cash)
Why would credit card machines not work?
And why would phone service be interrupted?
Although only a handful of states will be in the path of totality, every state in the contiguous U.S. will be able to see some form of the eclipse, with only small parts of Hawaii and Alaska missing out.
The last total solar eclipse in the U.S. was on August 21, 2017. The next one will not occur in North America until 2044.
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