As excitement builds for next month's total solar eclipse, many authorities are warning residents to prepare for an influx of tourists and to expect disruption. One of the latest rulings came from a Texas judge who urged pet owners to make sure they stock up on essential supplies for their furry friends.
Kerr County, Texas, is in the midst of a total eclipse, with its normal population of 53,000 expected to at least double or triple in the days leading up to and during the eclipse. ing. As a result, on March 4, Judge Rob Kelly issued a disaster declaration “in consideration of the safety of all residents.”
“This type of visitor traffic creates extreme traffic congestion on our roadways, puts a huge strain on emergency responders and hospital systems, depletes food and fuel supplies, and strains city and county infrastructure. , and will likely exceed capacity,'' Kelly said in a statement.
Mr Kelly urged residents to stay at home as much as possible on the day of the event and urged residents to ensure they stocked up on all necessary supplies, including for animals, in the week leading up to the event.
“During the eclipse weekend, make sure you have gas in your car, enough groceries, prescriptions filled, and stocked food for your animals. I recommend it,” he said. However, a subsequent statement warned residents against hoarding.
Some schools in Texas are also scheduled to close, and people may find themselves staying home with their children and pets, looking for entertainment instead of going out into crowds.
If you are among them, don't worry. There are still many ways you and your animal companion can join in the fun. That doesn't mean you can't watch the eclipse from your own backyard, but you should definitely check out our guide to watching it safely.
There's not only interesting things in the sky. Also, pay attention to what your pet is doing. Animals can behave very strangely during a solar eclipse. The citizen science project “Eclipse Safari” is encouraging the public to collect data on the behavior of animals, including pets, during the eclipse.
