Here's Why The Total Solar Eclipse Has Prompted States Of Emergency In Parts Of U.S.

[ShazzieB]

States of emergency have been declared for some parts of the U.S. in the path of Monday’s total solar eclipse, as state and local officials look to free up resources as they prepare for an influx of visitors for the nation’s first solar eclipse in seven years.

*snip*

[Indiana Governor] Holcomb’s executive order cited the state’s membership in the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, a national mutual aid program that allows states to call on others for assistance or resources when a governor issues a state of emergency.

State of emergency declarations can trigger several potential means of assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including individual assistance for small businesses and households, as well as public assistance programs for road systems, public facilities and other emergency protective measures.

On county and city levels, such declarations allow local officials to get assistance from state emergency management agencies—but local and state governments can directly request assistance from the federal government if needed, including asking the president to declare a major disaster, according to FEMA.

More here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/caileygleeson/2024/04/04/heres-why-the-total-solar-eclipse-has-prompted-states-of-emergency-in-parts-of-us/

Tl/dr: Don't freak out when you hear about states of emergency being declared due to the eclipse. It's nothing to worry about and is intended to provide an extra measure of safety for those in the path of totality (both residents and visitors to affected areas).

[MerryBlooms]

1. Glad you posted this, thank you. 🤗

[ret5hd]

2. what you didn't mention:

zombies
locusts
covid vaccine poisons being activated
earthquakes
second coming of christ

deep state shazzie aint foolin’ nobody here.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

21. Doesn't matter; it's the end of the solar system. After it eats the sun, it'll eat all the planets.

Party like there's no Tuesday!

[IjustDontlikeRepugs]

30. Party like there's no Tuesday....

I’m one step ahead of ya, Hermit.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

31. Sunday -- the last day of the Sun. We're all doomed and I feel fine.

[csziggy]

32. It's the end of the world!

?si=J3U2aJMMUmx3OnCQ

[Drum]

3. And, ahem, it's gummint $$$ coming in, no?

“State of emergency declarations can trigger several potential means of assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including individual assistance for small businesses and households, as well as public assistance programs for road systems, public facilities and other emergency protective measures.“

[SYFROYH]

4. "provide an extra measure of safety"...from what, exactly?

I drove up 5 hours from south Georgia to Tennessee with my son to see the last eclipse (totally worth it, btw), and it was utterly peaceful, and there wasn't even any traffic.

https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Qz6x9Sv4sgHYCaczu_5HgFE2nsY=/0x0:1920x1080/920x613/filters:focal(807x387:1113x693):format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/55276473/usa_eclipse_map_16x9_1920x1080.0.jpg

[LeftInTX]

8. It's a precaution. It's also a way to discourage unnecessary travel

[Happy Hoosier]

9. That was not my experience

Drove to Tennessee from Indiana in 2017. the Interstate was a parking lot for more than 12 hours following the Eclipse.

[ShazzieB]

14. Yeah, that's what we're worried about.

We're hoping to avoid the worst of the traffic by driving to Indy tomorrow, paying through the nose to spend 2 nights in a hotel, and driving back Tuesday.

And I do mean paying through the nose. The hotels in the totality areas have jacked up their rates and are gonna make a fortune off this thing, if Indy is any example. But we're in our 70s and won't have another chance. This is an early 50th anniversary present for ourselves (the actual date is in May).

[malaise]

22. Enjoy

[Happy Hoosier]

33. Good luck!!!

Hoping the weather cooperates!!!

[ProfessorGAC]

19. Some Areas Are Expecting...

...an influx beyond their ability to service.
Southern Illinois is sparsely populated but they're expecting thousands of visitors in around 48 hours.
Some of those entire counties only have 4 or 5 thousand people so emergency services, medical infrastructure & accommodations are limited.
I don't know that illinois is declaring a SOE, but I can understand the concern.

[brooklynite]

20. Buffalo (directly in the middle of the path of totality) is expecting ONE MILLION visitors

There will be traffic.

[marshall]

25. Is the drive back that is the problem

A friend drove from Salt Lake City to rural Idaho for the 2017 eclipse. She had the same calm leisurely trip up that you experienced. It took her two hours to get there , but it was a grueling 12 hours in bumper to bumper traffic to get back.

[Torchlight]

37. Anecdotes aside, I'd presume an extreme amount of traffic is a primary safety concern

As well as smaller locales being unprepraed for an extreme influx of tourism. Totally worth it, btw.

[AkFemDem]

5. It's just an opportunity to snag federal dollars

It’s all BS.

[Martin Eden]

6. This whole eclipse thing is a hoax perpetrated by the Deep State

First a state of emergency, followed by a declaration of Marshall Law, then cancel the election!

[House of Roberts]

7. Marshall law.

Never Trust A Stranger

[Martin Eden]

18. That's what MTG calls it

Tucker Band notwithstanding.

[Orrex]

26. Wait, they have another song?

[IronLionZion]

10. I like the people who think it's the rapture

because afterwards, it means the rapture happened and they were left behind. God rejected them. They're not worthy.

[k55f5r]

11. If you've read the Left Behind series

Then you know what they think is coming...open murder and war between the Xtians and everyone else.
Righteously killing everyone who is "different".

[Hope22]

13. Won't that make god quite irate? 🤣😂🤣

I joke but I do have concerns about the armed right. Killing for god, a story of the ages!

[Crunchy Frog]

23. How come that didn't happen last time in 2017? Or maybe I just missed it.

[bluestarone]

24. Yea, plus what DUMB FN movie will be hitting the theaters soon?

Yep, CIVIL WAR. Totally crazy timing here.

[mahina]

12. I honestly dont get it

Thereʻs an eclipse every night. But whatevas. I don’t mention my whelmed-ness when folks enthuse in real life. Do you, baby!

[Silent3]

16. I've seen three total eclipses before this so far. It's way, WAY different from it merely getting dark at night

The black hole in the sky caused by the moon blocking the sun, surrounded by the glowing corona of the sun, is an awesome sight far different from mere ordinary night.

[mahina]

17. Oh yes, absolutely it's different. I too have seen what you describe.

Cheeries!

[Silent3]

15. My house is right in the path of totality, but the current weather forecast sucks...

...so I might well be traveling about 3 hours WSW from home to get a better chance at seeing the eclipse instead of just a bunch of clouds.

[Emile]

27. They'll have to cancel the November election

and make Biden the president forever.

[Srkdqltr]

28. Now that is a plan!!

[myohmy2]

29. bullshit...

...Red States hate government but love sucking up my federal emergency tax dollars for bullshit...

...what's the big deal it's just a shitty eclipse??

...I'll be interested in reading all about the eye damage on Tuesday caused by encouraging the idiots to look up at the sun on Monday...

...but hey, have fun...

[ShazzieB]

36. I think a lot of it is atate and local governments panicking...

...about crowds pouring in. Maybe a bit of an overreaction, but not necessarily B.S. in every case.

When the population of an area is suddenly expected to swell to a much higher number than normal, I think first responders get nervous. A lot more people means a lot more traffic, which means a lot more accidents. If l was in their shoes, I think I'd get nervous, too.

[BannonsLiver]

34. I'm not freaking out I'm laughing and mocking them.

There is no fucking emergency whatsoever. The whole thing is pointless.

[LeftInTX]

35. It's to allocate resources. Lots of traffic more accidents. Cell service may be limited.

More demand for traffic direction and traffic cops.

More demand for EMS
Outdoors for hours: Risk for dehydration and other minor injuries

Think "small scale Woodstock"

[Blue_Adept]

39. It's baffling to see so many people simply not understand this.

The reactions from a lot remind me of how Republicans act when the governments plan and prepare for things. It's all a hoax, nothing, an excuse to abuse the money, etc etc.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

38. From the radio: enjoy the total eclipse while you can ...

... in fifty million years, there will be no more total eclipses.