A big flood of travelers has several states preparing the National Guard for the April 8 total solar eclipse.
Local disaster management officials have requested that the Oklahoma National Guard's 63rd Civil Support Team assist local governments during the eclipse, including providing HAZMAT responses to first responders.
McCurtain County, Oklahoma, could see 100,000 tourists, according to 63rd CST commander Lt. Col. Jabonn Flurry.
"This influx of visitors has the potential to overtax local resources, and the CST is uniquely qualified to support our fellow Oklahomans due to our Guardsmen's training and experience working with local agencies across Oklahoma," Flurry said.
Oklahoma is one of 15 states in the total solar eclipse's path of totality. Totality will begin in Mexico and span Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine before crossing the North Atlantic.
Small parts of Kentucky, Michigan, and Tennessee will view practically the complete eclipse.
Its duration depends on its proximity to totality. The longest totality is 4 minutes, 28 seconds near Torreón, Mexico.
Totality will hide the sun for 3.5–4 minutes in most areas.