WYNNE — Arkansas Governor Sarah Sanders declared a state of emergency in Arkansas ahead of today’s total solar eclipse.
Governor Sanders released $100,000 to assist with the state’s response. The declaration also waives certain federal restrictions on commercial traffic for up to 14 days as long as the motor carrier or driver is providing direct assistance in response to the declared emergency.
The money from the Response and Recovery Fund will be used at the discretion of A.J. Gary, director of the Department of Public Safety’s Division of Emergency Management.
Local authorities are also preparing for the influx of visitors to the region.
Wynne Police Capt. Daniel Getchell said his department’s main goal is to keep everyone safe on the roads.
“Our main priority is going to be the streets, making sure the highways aren’t backed up,” he said. “The highway department is expecting more traffic than normal through this area so we’re going to try to make sure the roadways are clear and traffic keeps flowing.
“We’re always going to be proactive. If someone is doing something unsafe, obviously we’re going to take action,” Getchell said. “The main thing is keeping traffic flowing on the highways, the side streets, and not letting cars and big trucks back up too far.”
Cross County Sheriff David West said his department has a similar goal.
“As far as traffic goes, I think we’re going to be more reactive. The main problem will be an accident and traffic backing up due to the high flow of travel,” Sheriff West said. “We’re going to be out and being seen and looking for reckless drivers, stuff like that. Looking for people pulled over on the shoulder trying to look at the eclipse. That’s going to be a danger I think, and move them on out of the way.”
The Wynne Fire Department also has additional staff today due to the possibility of increased call volume for traffic incidents as well as mutual aid for neighboring departments.
According to NASA.gov, the City of Wynne will receive 99.5% max coverage in today’s eclipse.
The partial eclipse will begin at 12:36 p.m. with totality starting at 1:21 p.m. Max coverage will occur at 1:55 p.m. The eclipse event will conclude at 3:14 p.m.
