Travis County issues disaster declaration ahead of April 8 total solar eclipse
Travis County leaders issued a disaster declaration on Friday, bracing for the county's population to possibly double as people visit to view the 2024 total solar eclipse.
Officials have estimated that the population increase could range anywhere from 100,000 to 1 million as people flock to see the moon cover the sun April 8, according to Travis County Judge Andy Brown. The eclipse is supposed to last longer in the western parts of the county, he said in a news conference Friday.
The influx of people is expected to increase traffic and put a strain on first responders, officials have said. The disaster declaration allows the county to require residents expecting to host a private watch party with 50 or more guests to inform the county about their gatherings, Brown said. They are asked to fill out a form online.
The county is also working with hotels and Airbnb to estimate crowd size, Brown said.
Getting people to register online for parties with 50 or more people helps officials estimate the size of the crowds that will be pouring into the area, said Brown. It also helps the county have emergency resources, such as fire trucks, in the right areas.
The county is also working with hotels and Airbnb to estimate crowd size, Brown said.
He said issuing a disaster declaration also allows the county to make preparations such as ordering more tow trucks to be available.
Officials are not planning to close any public roads during the event, said Eric Carter, the county's emergency management coordinator. He said, at Friday's news conference that county staff will just be concentrating on making sure that traffic keeps flowing.
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One park in western Travis County, Hamilton Pool Preserve, is already fully booked, so people who don't have reservations can't go there for the eclipse, officials said Friday. Overnight reservations for the night of April 8 at Aransas Bend Park and Pace Bend Park, both on Lake Travis, are also already full.
The county will release information next week about a reservation system for the parks for people who just plan to be there during the day, said Hector Nieto, a county spokesman.
Area grocery stores and gas stations are not expected to run out of supplies, Brown said.
"We hope a lot of people come here and have a great time," he said. "We are just trying to plan for things that could add to traffic issues."
Bell County officials also declared a disaster declaration last month in preparation for the eclipse.
Tips for Travis County residents ahead of the 2024 solar eclipse
Officials suggested residents take the following actions to prepare for the swarm of people expected to descend on the county:
Plan for traffic congestion the weekend before and all day on Monday, April 8, especially after the eclipse when people will be leaving at the same time.
Reschedule nonurgent appointments for a different day.
Get gas and groceries and run errands before the eclipse day.
Watch the eclipse at home or near your home.
If traveling to watch the eclipse, plan ahead and download the What3Words app, which can help first responders locate 911 callers in an emergency.
More information about the eclipse can be found on the county's website, traviscountytx.gov.
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This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Travis County issues disaster declaration ahead of 2024 solar eclipse
