Emergency officials warn people to stock up on food, water and fuel ahead of total solar eclipse
A solar eclipse is always an exciting time when then it happens.
There's something almost magical yet haunting when the Moon passes at the perfect moment between the Earth and Sun so that it blocks the Sun's light.
There's said to be around two to five solar eclipses each year, but total eclipses are much less frequent and occur every 18 months or so - if not longer.
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The next total eclipse is taking place in the US on April 8, and is expected to be visible from Mexico through to Canada.
While it's undeniably exciting, government officials have expressed safety concerns surrounding next month's celestial event.
It's expected that people will travel from far and wide to try get a glimpse of the total eclipse, therefore causing havoc on the roads.
Aixa Diaz, a spokesperson for the American Automobile Association, warned USA Today readers: "Pack your patience, whether traveling a great distance or locally, people will be out and about to catch a glimpse of the eclipse."
Roads in the center of the eclipse's path in particular are expected to be increasingly busy - a scenario which played out back in 2017 during the nation's last total solar eclipse.
Reportedly some areas were hit with 13 hours worth of congestion after the eclipse as everyone tries to leave the area at the same time.
Elsewhere, Dave Freeman, Lorain County EMA director, said: "What we could have is crowds here that we’re not used to.
"We’re not set up infrastructure-wise for that, we don’t have the roads."
Lorain is located on the edge of the eclipse's central path.
"A lot of the roads here are two lanes," Freeman went on, as per Yahoo! News.
"This is not Chicago, this is not Cleveland, where we have a bunch of four-lane, six-lane roads coming in so the traffic could be pretty extreme here if we get crowds more than we expect."
According to Freeman, the big event is expected to last around four minutes.
With the increased traffic in mind, some areas have warned residents to stock up on necessities ahead of the eclipse.
As per the Lorain County website, residents have been urged to fill up their vehicles with gas before April 6 and 7, stock up on food and drinks, avoid scheduling appointments on the day of the eclipse and to avoid traveling over the weekend before it happens.
The EMA has also warned that there could be some issues will cell phone signal during the event due to an increase of activity.
Freeman has emphasised, however, that there's not going to be a shortage of food and water and that's not why they're suggesting people stock up.
Niamh Shackleton