National Guard Deployment , Among Precautions Taken for , Upcoming Solar Eclipse.<br />National Guard Deployment , Among Precautions Taken for , Upcoming Solar Eclipse.<br />'Newsweek' reports that the Oklahoma <br />National Guard will be deployed during <br />the upcoming April 8 total solar eclipse.<br />On March 20, the state said the guard would be <br />deployed to assist emergency management dealing <br />with "an unprecedented number of tourists.".<br />On March 20, the state said the guard would be <br />deployed to assist emergency management dealing <br />with "an unprecedented number of tourists.".<br />McCurtain County, in the southeast <br />part of the state, is expected to see as <br />many as 100,000 tourists visit the area. .<br />This influx of visitors has the potential <br />to overtax local resources and thanks <br />to the training and experience our <br />Guardsmen have working alongside<br />local agencies all across Oklahoma, <br />the CST is uniquely qualified to <br />support our fellow Oklahomans, Lt. Col Jabonn Flurry, Commander of the <br />63rd Civil Support Team, via 'Newsweek'.<br />According to NASA, McCurtain County's city of <br />Idabel is predicted to be one of the 13 best spots <br />in the country to see the rare celestial event.<br />Officials across the eclipse's path of totality have <br />expressed concerns that public safety resources will be <br />stretched thin as the spectacle draws massive crowds.<br />Similarly, schools along the path of <br />totality have announced they would close <br />for the day, citing concerns for student safety.<br />In at least four states, residents have been urged to <br />stock up on groceries and gas ahead of the event, <br />as local roads are expected to be overrun with tourists.<br />In at least four states, residents have been urged to <br />stock up on groceries and gas ahead of the event, <br />as local roads are expected to be overrun with tourists.<br />The Federal Highway Administration has warned that <br />increased traffic could lead to a number of safety <br />concerns, including the potential for wildfires.<br />The Federal Highway Administration has warned that <br />increased traffic could lead to a number of safety <br />concerns, including the potential for wildfires.<br />The April 8 eclipse's path of totality <br />stretches from northern Mexico <br />across the eastern U.S. into New England.
