Judge Kelly declares disaster in Kerr County ahead of April 8 eclipse

With the April 8 total eclipse now a month away, Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly issued a disaster declaration on Monday to help county and city officials manage the expected crush of visitors to the region.

The disaster declaration continues for seven days, and the Commissioners’ Court could extend it when it meets on March 11. The extension would remain in effect until after the eclipse.

Kelly told Gov. Greg Abbott on Feb. 23 of his intention to declare a disaster, following a trend of other counties impacted by the eclipse.

“This event is expected to be of such severity and magnitude that an effective response is beyond the capability of the local jurisdiction to manage,” Kelly said.

Kerr County could see an influx of more than 150,000 people for the four minutes of midday darkness. Enacting the declaration in advance activates the Kerr County Emergency Management Plan and not only authorizes the county to take any actions necessary to promote life safety and critical infrastructure protection, but it also authorizes the furnishing of aid and assistance needed.

“We expect that kind of visiting traffic here to cause extreme traffic congestion on our roadways, place an enormous strain on our first responders and hospital systems, drain our food and fuel supplies and strain our city and county infrastructure to, quite possibly, overcapacity,” Kelly said. “As a result, I’m issuing this declaration in the interest of the safety of all our residents.

“I encourage you to stay off the roads and at home, if possible, on the day of the event,” Kelly said. “Also, in the week preceding the event, I would encourage you to make sure your vehicles are tanked up, that you have sufficient grocery supplies, that your prescriptions are filled and that you are stocked up on provisions for any animals in your care over the duration of eclipse weekend.”