Indiana has become the latest U.S. state to declare a ‘State
of Emergency’ ahead of next week’s solar eclipse and relaunch of CERN’s
particle accelerator.
Governor Eric Holcomb declared a statewide disaster emergency earlier
this week in anticipation of the total solar eclipse set to occur on
April 8th, 2024.
Thegatewaypundit.com
reports: The declaration, effective Wednesday, allows Indiana to
utilize resources and aid from other states through the Emergency
Management Assistance Compact (EMAC).
This compact is a national mutual aid system which Indiana, along
with all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and various American
territories, have ratified.
Gov. Holcomb signed the order to address anticipated needs due to the
significant influx of tourists. The EMAC members will share equipment
and communications systems to help ensure safety during the
eclipse-related surge in tourism, the Indiana Capital Chronicle.
Indiana is expecting hundreds of thousands of visitors for the April 8
event, which is also likely to prompt considerable in-state travel.
Officials are predicting a “widespread and significant impact” on the
state’s “critical infrastructure systems,” including those necessary for
communication, emergency response, and transportation.
The governor’s order authorizes the leader of the Department of
Homeland Security (DHS) to coordinate any required assistance with other
local, state, and federal agencies, ensuring statewide preparedness.
This action is a direct response to potential technological or other
emergencies that could arise due to the heavy strain on emergency
services.
Although Gov. Holcomb has utilized disaster declarations in the past,
particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been tensions
between the governor’s office and state lawmakers concerning the extent
and duration of such orders.
Despite previous disagreements, the current order is set to end on April 9, the day after the eclipse.
According to the declaration:
WHEREAS,on April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will pass directly
over the State of Indiana, giving everyone in our state an incredible
view of this extremely rare event. The last total solar eclipse to pass
over Indiana occurred in 1869, and the next is not expected to occur
until 2099;WHEREAS,it is anticipated the State of Indiana will see a significant
influx of several hundred thousand visitors to witness, what will be
for nearly all, a once-in-a-lifetime event;WHEREAS,it is of primary importance to the State of Indiana to be
prepared to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public during
this event and to be prepared to swiftly and effectively respond to any
emergency that may arise;WHEREAS, over the last year, state and local agencies have been
preparing for this event and it is anticipated there may well be
widespread and significant impact placed on Indiana’s emergency
response, transportation, communication, and other critical
infrastructure systems by this tremendous influx of visitors throughout
the state;WHEREAS, the massive number of people viewing this event in our state
may well stress and/or interfere with first responder and public safety
communications and emergency response systems such that a technological
or other emergency may occur;WHEREAS, the State of Indiana is a member of the Emergency Management
Assistance Compact (EMAC) wherein a member state can, upon a governor’s
declaration of a disaster emergency, call upon resources in another
state to be on hand or available, which resources are essential to the
safety, care, and welfare of the people; andWHEREAS, other member states of the EMAC have communications and
other equipment which can be provided in advance to the State of Indiana
so it is in place and able to augment Indiana’s resources should the
need suddenly arise in connection with this very large and unique event.
Canada’s Niagara Falls region has also declared a state of emergency to prepare for the upcoming total solar eclipse on April 8th.
In a press release, Niagara Regional Chair Jim Bradley said he issued a state of emergency “out of an abundance of caution.”
Bradley continued in the press release, “Declaring a State of
Emergency under the EMCPA strengthens the tools the Region has at its
disposal to safeguard the health and safety of residents and visitors
and protect our critical infrastructure in any scenario that might
arise.”
Ontario Mayor Jim Diodati is
expecting the Canadian side of Niagara Falls to receive over one
million visitors on the day the eclipse is set to occur, which is the
main reason why Niagara officials decided to issue a state of emergency a
week in advance before the solar eclipse is set to occur.
Several counties in Texas have also issued emergency declarations in
response to the expected heavy traffic and gridlock stemming from the
total solar eclipse on April 8.
The Bosque County Office of Emergency Management,
on Monday, announced a state of emergency specifically citing concerns
over traffic congestion. This declaration empowers the county to
implement “any actions necessary to ensure the protection of life,
safety, and critical infrastructure.”
The Elyria Township Fire Department also urged the local community to
make unusual preparations for the upcoming Total Solar Eclipse
scheduled for April 8.
It recommended that residents stock up on food, ensure they have a
sufficient supply of their prescriptions picked up the week before, keep
cell phone batteries charged, and schedule any necessary appointments
for before or after the eclipse weekend.
In response to NASA’s report that a total solar eclipse will occur on
April 8, 2024, New York authorities warned New Yorkers to be prepared.
In a recent press release by
the New York state police, officials warned residents to be prepared
for cellular disruptions, slow 9/11 response times, gridlocked traffic,
and food/water demand during the upcoming total solar eclipse.
Also included in the press release was a list of suggestions calling for residents to stock up on food, water, and fuel.
The warning by New York state police comes as the department looks to learn from their responses to the 2017 solar eclipse.
Click this link for the original source of this article.
Author: Planet Today
This content is courtesy of, and owned and copyrighted by, https://www.planet-today.com and its author. This content is made available by use of the public RSS feed offered by the host site and is used for educational purposes only. If you are the author or represent the host site and would like this content removed now and in the future, please contact USSANews.com using the email address in the Contact page found in the website menu.