Niagara Falls Declares State of Emergency due to Total Solar Eclipse

To prepare for this month’s total solar eclipse and the expected influx of tourists, a state of emergency has been declared near Niagara Falls, Ontario. This will be the first eclipse to touch the province since 1979 and has been named one of the best places to view by National Geographic.

Niagara Falls, Ontario, shares its name with Niagara Falls, New York, across the border in the United States. On April 8, the moon will fully cover the sun’s path, traveling across most of North America.

The city is in the path of totality, where the moon will completely block the sun’s rays for a few minutes. Mayor Jim Diodati anticipates record-breaking crowds for the event, with up to 1 million people expected to attend.

The regional municipality of Niagara has proactively declared a state of emergency to handle the potential traffic jams, increased demand for emergency services, and potential cell phone network overloads during the eclipse.

In New York, Governor Kathy Hochul cautioned travelers about the expected traffic congestion due to multiple eclipse-viewing events in the state. She mentioned halting lane closures and construction work ahead of the celestial phenomenon.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also issued a statement warning about possible travel delays and increased traffic at airports along the eclipse’s path. Limited parking is expected, especially at smaller, uncontrolled airports.

The total solar eclipse will start on Mexico’s Pacific coast, cross the United States from Texas to Maine, and exit in Eastern Canada. Most of the continent will witness a partial eclipse.

The last total solar eclipse visible in the United States occurred in 2017.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.