Niagara declares a state of EMERGENCY ahead of solar eclipse that will create monster traffic jams and strain emergency services as thousands flock to region to catch a glimpse

Canada’s Niagara Region has declared a state of emergency as it prepares for an influx of a million tourists ahead of next week’s solar eclipse.

The total solar eclipse on April 8 will be the region’s first in 45 years, and the city of Niagara Falls lies directly in the path of totality, where the moon will mask the sun’s face for a few minutes.

A map from the National Solar Observatory shows that the city, which sits on the U.S.-Canada border, will see 100 percent coverage for around 3 minutes and 30 seconds.

Ahead of the flood of visitors, the greater Niagara Region has preemptively declared a state of emergency.

Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati estimates around one million tourists will flock to witness the spectacle – 14 times more visitors in a single day than the city normally sees in a year.

The state of emergency ‘strengthens the tools the region has at its disposal to safeguard the health and safety of residents and visitors and protect our critical infrastructure in any scenario that might arise,’ according to the official announcement.

It sets in motion some planning tools to prepare for traffic snarls, increased demand on emergency services and cell phone network overloads.

T-Mobile is deploying additional cell sites to battle service disruptions amid the surge of visitors.

‘On April 8, the spotlight will be on Niagara as thousands of visitors join us to share in this once-in-a-lifetime event, and we will be ready to shine,’ Niagara Regional Chair Jim Brady said.

He extended his gratitude to local agencies ‘who have been working together diligently to make sure our community is able to offer a safe and unforgettable experience, both for our visitors, and for all those who call Niagara home.’

The news release urges people to prepare for crowds and winding lines, and consider stocking up on groceries and fuel before the eclipse. 

Most schools in the region will be closed on April 8. ‘Have a childcare plan in place, and make sure children know how to view the eclipse safely,’ the announcement reads.

This includes wearing only ISO 12312-2 certified eclipse glasses.

While the sky grows dark during a solar eclipse, observers along the path of totality will see the sun’s corona, or outer atmosphere, which appears as a bright ring of light and can cause eye damage.

While some Canadians conceded that the government was taking the appropriate steps to counter the flood of tourists, others took to social media to air their grievances, calling the state of emergency an ‘overreaction.’

‘So we’re just going to suspend the Charter over an eclipse?!?!?’ one man demanded on X, formerly Twitter.

‘Oh my God. Talk about an overreaction. How on earth did they get elected. This is your tax dollars at work,’ another griped.

States south of the border are already seeing the effects of a swarm of visitors.

An estimated 270,000 to one million people are expected to travel to Texas due to its prime viewing location in the totality’s path.

The city of Dallas has seen a 571 percent boost in hotel bookings for the days leading up to the solar eclipse.

Accommodation prices in Waco have surged by 81 percent while prices in Cleveland and Austin also rose by 33 and 34 percent, respectively.