“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.
How Barcelona is using tourists to take the heat off locals and students
How Barcelona is using tourists to take the heat off locals and students
The eclipse will carve a path of totality through Texas, plunging many cities into total darkness for several minutes when the moon passes between the sun and Earth. Millions of Americans will travel to witness the event, with many coming to Texas, according to the Great American Eclipse website.
Many of those visitors will gravitate to big cities such as Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin and San Antonio, but some smaller towns are preparing for tourists, as well.
Tens of thousands are expected to head to Hillsboro – rebranded as “Eclipseboro” – to witness the event, and the city has been preparing for them for the past year, not least by organising the Cosmic Cowboy Eclipse Festival of music. Other small Texas cities, including Greenville, Ennis and Canton, are also preparing for tourists.
The Texas Department of Transportation spokesman Tony Hartzel said eclipse traffic could be as if several large American football games all ended at once.
Bell County, which is in Central Texas and home to cities such as Killeen, Temple and Belton, is urging its residents to stay home and avoid driving if possible, refill prescriptions, purchase groceries, and fuel cars by April 4. It has closed all county offices.
Cellular service could be spotty, the county warned, encouraging people to use landlines if possible.
