TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas — This spring, a rare natural occurrence is happening in parts of the U.S. where the sky will turn dark in the middle of the daytime.
The 2024 total solar eclipse will be visible April 8 in parts of Central Texas and as a result, many counties are expecting to see an increase of traffic and travelers.
Central Texans are counting down the days.
"I'm really excited. We're going to be in the path of totality. It'll be great," Amanda Gregory said.
Father of four Matthew Henry also wants to start preparing.
"I need to get some of those glasses. I don't have any glasses yet," Henry said.
Travis County spokesperson Hector Nieto said that excitement will spill over to the roadways, with visitors all over the world planning to travel to Central Texas.
"Previous eclipses have showed us that populations can double depending on how big the city is and how many people were expected. So if that's the case, then we could see up to a million additional people just here in the Travis County area," Nieto said.
On March 8, Travis County issued an official Declaration of Local Disaster, per Judge Andy Brown.
In compliance with the declaration, private property owners must inform the county and fill out a registration form for any eclipse events set to host 50 or more guests. The registration form must include name, address, a form of contact and the number of event guests. The declaration will help the county get an understanding of how many people will be on some of the roadways.
So far, at least 14 school districts are giving students and staff the day off, including Hays CISD. Tracy Harris works there as a third-grade teacher and is excited to enjoy the eclipse with her own kids.
"I was nervous about being in charge of some of them, taking them outside and telling them don't look straight at the sun without your glasses," Harris said.
For Henry, he anticipates soaking in the moment with his family.
"I think it's a great experience for all the kids to enjoy, so part of God's creation. Let them see it, let them experience that," Henry said.
Additionally, the county has provided tips for residents in order to prepare for more visitors than usual.
Those living in Travis County should prepare for busy roads all day and they should run all errands the day before the event. If appointments are scheduled during eclipse day, they should be rescheduled if possible.
If they are able, it is recommended for residents to work remotely and to watch the eclipse from their homes or locations nearby. If you get lost or need emergency services, you can download the what3words app for assistance.
For those who are driving during the eclipse, it's important not to stop, as traffic or crashes could happen as a result.
Travis County isn't the only Central Texas region to declare a local disaster. In recent weeks, Bell County and Dripping Springs have done the same.
The total solar eclipse won't happen again in the area for approximately 400 years and more counties could see similarly hectic roads around and leading up to the event.