The National Guard serves as a military reserve force, intended for activation primarily during emergencies. Yet, presently, its utilization spans a broad spectrum of national challenges. For instance, in New York City, Guard members are assigned to assist in the inspection of passengers’ bags on the subway, a move that should raise serious concerns about the precedent it establishes. Moreover, the Guard is currently engaged in addressing the situation at the border, a dilemma proponents argue could be effectively resolved through a straightforward approach of constructing a barrier and rigorously applying immigration laws.
According to a report from The Economic Collapse blog, we have now learned that National Guard troops are going to be deployed on April 8 during the Great American Eclipse? What, exactly, are our leaders expecting to take place during an eclipse? Is there something they know that we don’t? Are people planning to lose their minds and riot in the streets? What’s the deal?
No doubt this is going to be a truly historic event. It’s currently being projected that it will end up being the most viewed astronomical event in the history of the United States. Almost everyone in the North American region will be able to see at least a partial eclipse:
Almost everyone on the continent will see at least a bit of the eclipse. The further away you are from the path, the less of the eclipse you’ll see.
Even in places like Seattle and Portland, Oregon, which are far from the path, about one-third of the sun will be hidden.
One of the best states to view the eclipse is Oklahoma and since millions of people will be traveling to witness the event, it’s being reported that the Oklahoma National Guard “will provide first responders as well as units with hazmat response capabilities:”
Oklahoma’s National Guard is set to be deployed for the upcoming total solar eclipse, when as many as 100,000 people are expected to visit one county.
In a statement on Tuesday, the guard said it would assist emergency management to cope with “an unprecedented number of tourists” on April 8 in McCurtain County, in the southeast of the state.
The guard will provide first responders as well as units with hazmat response capabilities in case of an incident like an industrial fire.
While I totally understand the logic behind being prepared, calling in our National Guard seems a little over the top, wouldn’t you agree? This whole situation is being treated like a serious incident is going to unfold. Residents in the state have been told they should stock up on gas and groceries before the eclipse and to have multiple forms of communication other than cellular devices. What in the world is going on here? Are we being invaded by extraterrestrials or something? What gives?
To prepare for the eclipse, the state laid out some tips to plan ahead.
Oklahomans should schedule errands and appointments a few days in advance before the eclipse as well as stock up on gas and groceries. The state also recommends having multiple forms of communication besides cellular, being careful on the road and staying updated on weather conditions.
However, Oklahoma isn’t the only state that has put out these kind of warnings. According to Newsweek, there are four other states that have informed residents to stock up on food and other important supplies:
At least four states within the path of totality have urged residents to stock up on groceries before the eclipse. Some officials have already issued disaster declarations ahead of the event, and some schools have decided to close, citing student safety.
Texas officials have issued a slew of warnings, including that people living within the path of totality should stock up on groceries and gas and run any errands—such as filling prescriptions—in the days before the eclipse. One official also urged pet owners to stock up on supplies for their animals.
It’s true that those who are in the direct path of the total eclipse will have a ton of people coming to their areas and soaking up their resources, but this feels like an overreaction. Still aren’t convinced? Look what Hays, County Texas just told their residents to do:
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Parking issues – lack of parking, fees for parking, having to park and walk to your destination (Please park only in designated areas and not on private property or in areas that cause safety issues)
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Traffic delays and road closures
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Longer wait times for restaurants (consider cooking at “home” instead or bring a small cooler with ready-to-eat food)
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More congestion (pedestrian and vehicles)
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Delayed emergency/911 response
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Cell service interruptions/lack of service
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Higher than normal stress levels and/or heated tempers
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Credit card machines not working (bring cash)
In the state of Arkansas they have been practicing “live training exercises for the kind of emergencies they might encounter during the eclipse:
With less than a month remaining before the Great American Solar Eclipse, the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management (ADEM) took a significant step by conducting a live training exercise. This exercise was designed to test ADEM’s response to issues that may arise as visitors flock to Arkansas to witness the event. ADEM responders and other state agencies looked at possible scenarios, such as severe weather, traffic, medical emergencies, and communication challenges.
Taking part in the exercise were county emergency managers and representatives of the National Weather Service, Arkansas National Guard, Corps of Engineers, Arkansas Hospital Association, Arkansas Wireless Information Network, and Arkansas Departments of Health, Transportation, Energy and Environment and Human Services.
Things will likely go just fine on April 8. Of course, there’s always a chance that something very big and very bad happens, but I don’t see anything to indicate that is the case. No doubt this is a major, historic event, and I hope everyone experiences it in some way and creates a memory they will never forget.
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