Solar eclipse 2024: Travis County judge issues local disaster declaration
TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas - A Travis County judge has issued a local disaster declaration in preparation for the upcoming total solar eclipse.
Travis County Judge Andy Brown issued a Declaration of Local Disaster in anticipation of "extremely large crowds, increased traffic, and enormous strains on first responders, hospitals, and roads" in the days surrounding the total solar eclipse on April 8.
Travis County will be in the path of totality for the upcoming eclipse, what many call a once-in-a-lifetime event.
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Under the disaster declaration, private property owners in the unincorporated areas of Travis County will be required to notify the county if they plan on hosting a gathering of more than 50 people to watch the eclipse.
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Travis County residents are encouraged to:
- Plan ahead for traffic congestion, especially after the eclipse when people leave at the same time;
- Reschedule non-urgent appointments for a different day;
- Get gas and run errands before eclipse day;
- Watch the eclipse at home or near home;
- Plan ahead if traveling to watch the eclipse.
The county says there are no plans to close roads.
Some parks require reservations, and many are already filled up.
"We want to make sure even when we were talking specifically around potential challenge points going into and out of the parks, the goal is going to be to keep the traffic moving, as free flow as possible," Eric Carter, Chief Emergency Management Coordinator in Travis County said. "That's what we're trying to put resources in place for, to direct traffic, extra law enforcement on the streets, out in those areas, extra signage, working with Waze and Google to try to pre-identify and map routes that people can take safely into and out of the area."
County officials want to be informed of large gatherings, so first responders can prepare accordingly.
"Since we're making that declaration today, it's going to be in effect until the eighth because we're requiring that registration and those other measures until the eighth. The court ratifying that today will keep it into effect," Travis County Judge Andy Brown said.
"We expect to have a nice, perfect day with the nice, perfect crowd, but we're going to be ready if it doesn't turn out that way," Carter said.
For more information about the eclipse and to register gatherings, click here.