By Frank Kamuntu
The New York State Police has deployed an emergency plan regarding its response to the upcoming total solar eclipse as thousands of people flock to the state to view the astronomical phenomenon.
On Monday, April 8, the moon will be positioned so that the entire disc of the sun will be blocked in several 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 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 country have voiced concerns about stretched public safety resources and an “enormous strain” on local hospitals and congested roadways. At least four states have urged residents to stock up on groceries and gas and to fill medical prescriptions in the days leading up to the eclipse, as traffic is expected to overwhelm local roads.
In New York, state troopers and other state, local and federal law enforcement agencies have “meticulously developed an emergency operation plan,” according to the New York State Police press release that was published Thursday.
“Our unwavering goal is to provide a comprehensive and uniform presence, ensuring the safety of both visitors and residents as they experience and travel home from the eclipse,” the release said. “Members of the State Police will implement security measures appropriate for large gatherings and take all necessary actions to maintain order and smooth traffic flow.”
Among the list of troopers’ concerns for the upcoming event are transportation disruptions, delayed emergency services because of traffic, stranded motorists, fuel infrastructure not being able to support the influx of visitors, overloaded cellular networks, an increase in 911 calls and several other concerns, according to the press release.
To mitigate impact, troopers suggest that people plan to stay in the region overnight, stock extra food and water in their vehicle for travel and to charge their cell phones and bring their chargers with them. The agency also recommended that schools close for the day or offer a half-day, among other suggestions.
Some cities nationwide are expecting their population to double or triple for the event.
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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