2024 total solar eclipse: Texas county declares state of emergency ahead of the event, with 400,000 tourists expected to show up
- Bell County, in Texas, expects the predicted tourist hordes to cause shortages of food, water and fuel, and traffic chaos, before the April 8 eclipse
- Other counties in the state have been preparing for the event, including Hill County, whose main town is rebranding itself as ‘Eclipseboro’
A small Texas county issued a state of emergency this week as it prepares for a surge in tourism ahead of the total solar eclipse in April.
County Judge David Blackburn said last week that the emergency declaration will help the county plan, prepare for and respond to the eclipse and coordinate with the state if needed.
“In order to protect the health, safety and welfare of both residents and visitors, Bell County has determined that extraordinary measures must be taken in the form of a local disaster declaration,” the county said in a news release.
As part of the declaration, property owners are required to register with the Bell County Emergency Management Office if they plan to host parties with more than 50 people. Owners must provide the county a site layout and ensure guests have adequate bathrooms, waste disposal and waste water solutions.
Registration will provide public safety officials and first responders with information when roads and highways are congested, the county said.