Texas County Declares State of Disaster Ahead of Solar Eclipse

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One Texas County is already preparing to be overrun by visitors on April 8th during the total solar eclipse.

Bell County Judge David Blackburn issued a local disaster declaration this week in order to keep visitors and residents safe. Texans, and people from around the United States and perhaps from around the world will be traveling to Central Texas in April to catch, what some believe will be the best views of the eclipse.

According to KXAN, officials are expecting the county's population to double or triple during the eclipse.

Judge Blackburn said officials are expecting Bell County’s population of 400,000 to double, if not triple, in the days leading up to the eclipse. He fears that could put a serious strain on the county’s infrastructure.

The declaration allows the Bell County Office of Emergency Management to communicate with other departments and the State Department easier. Bell County's Disaster Declaration is just the latest move Central Texans have made as they prepare for an influx of visitors. Killeen, Temple, and Belton Schools have announced they will be closed on April 8 and officials are urging residents to get grocery shopping and filling up gas tanks done ahead of the eclipse.