Bee Cave City Council votes for disaster declaration for solar eclipse; LTISD cancels school

TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- Bee Cave City Council voted for a disaster declaration for April 8, the date of the solar eclipse, in a city council meeting on Tuesday, March 26. Lake Travis Independent School District also canceled school for the event.

The disaster declaration allows the mayor authority over their jurisdiction to request state funding if needed during the eclipse.

“We don’t want to cause alarm, but this is an important move to ensure we can use all the tools we have available to be prepared for this influx of people to the area," Bee Cave Mayor Kara King said in a press release from the city.

Austin is preparing to bring 2.5 million additional visitors to the city. People will be able to see the eclipse in the totality zone in Bee Cave, so city officials expect tens of thousands people to travel through the major roads, including Highway 71 and Farm to Market 620, the release said.

City officials are asking residents to stay home and enjoy the eclipse and to avoid driving during peak traffic. The city's communications department is also sending recommendations to local businesses to ensure they are prepared for any disruptions, according to the city.

“It is our primary duty to protect our community and ensure momentous occasions like these do not disrupt the safety of our residents,” King said. “By preparing ahead of time, we hope this will simply be a wonderful memory for visitors and residents alike. Stay home and enjoy getting to live in the totality zone without having to travel anywhere.”

With expert advice, the city has been working closely with the Emergency Management Coordinator and the police and fire departments to prepare for any situation. The mayor will implement measures to control traffic and ensure public safety. The main concern is traffic and accessibility for emergency vehicles on the busier roads.

The City recommends residents to "cancel any non-emergency appointments for that day, have a back-up plan in case cell service is disrupted, stay off the roads as much as possible and download the free Voyent Alert! App to their mobile phone to receive any emergency city messages," said in the release.