1. Niagara region declares state of emergency for upcoming total solar eclipse
2. Niagara Falls along the path of totality for eclipse, expected to draw one million visitors
3. T-Mobile deploying additional cell sites, region modifying services to accommodate influx of tourists.
Canada’s Niagara region is preparing for a total solar eclipse on April 8, expecting one million tourists to visit the area to witness the rare event. Niagara Falls, situated on the US-Canadian border, will be one of the best places to view the eclipse as it lies along the path of totality, where the moon appears to completely block out the sun. In preparation for the influx of visitors, a state of emergency was declared by Jim Bradley, Niagara Region chairman, to ensure the health and safety of residents and visitors.
The mayor of Niagara Falls, Ontario estimated that up to a million people will be present on the day of the eclipse, significantly more than the usual 14 million visitors to the falls in a year. To accommodate the surge in visitors, T-Mobile is deploying additional cellphone sites, while the region is also modifying events and services and closing facilities to manage traffic effectively. NASA predicts the total solar eclipse to be spectacular due to high solar activity, offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for over 30 million people in the US to view the event.
Residents who miss this year’s eclipse will have to wait for another few decades for a similar opportunity, as the next total solar eclipses visible in the contiguous US are slated for 2044 and 2045. The declaration of a state of emergency in the Niagara region underscores the significance of this event and the need to plan for the safety and enjoyment of the numerous visitors expected to gather to witness the eclipse.