Full List of Solar Eclipse Closures, Warnings

Several solar eclipse closures and warnings have been issued in the weeks leading up to the astronomical phenomenon, impacting the everyday lives of people who live and work in areas along the path of totality.

On April 8, the moon will be positioned so that the entire disc of the sun will be blocked by it. The phenomenon will be visible in several U.S. states, plunging millions of people into darkness during the early afternoon.

The path of totality will start in Mexico and extend across Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine before heading over the North Atlantic.

The spectacle is expected to draw crowds from around the country as people head to cities and towns in the path of totality to witness the eclipse. Officials have voiced concerns about stretched public safety resources, an "enormous strain" on local hospitals and congested roadways.

The closures and warnings issued are as follows:

Schools

Hundreds of schools have announced closures during the solar eclipse or opted for e-learning days, citing student safety. Some schools still have solar eclipse activities planned despite their closures, including in Hays County, Texas. The school previously planned to be open for the event and even purchased enough viewing glasses for all students so they could safely observe the eclipse. Glasses will now be sent home with students, along with "fun activities and assignments for eclipse day," Hays school district spokesperson Tim Savoy told Newsweek in a statement.

Several universities also have decided to cancel classes for the day, such as Indiana University, which has several campuses within the path of totality.

University of Texas at Austin is among the colleges canceling classes because of the eclipse. Instead, the university will plan a campus-wide viewing experience during the eclipse, although it is not mandatory for students to attend, a spokesperson from the university told Newsweek.

Food, medicine and gas

At least four states have urged residents to stock up on groceries and gas and to fill medical prescriptions in the days leading up to the eclipse, as traffic is expected to overwhelm local roads and could make accessing grocery stores or pharmacies difficult.

Texas is among the states warning residents to stock up. Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly issued a disaster declaration on March 4 stating that the influx of visitors could "drain our food and fuel supplies and strain our city and county infrastructure to, quite possibly, over capacity."

Kelly suggested that pet owners purchase enough supplies, including food, for their pets before the eclipse occurs.

Traffic

Several state transportation departments, police departments and other agencies and organizations have published information about what motorists can expect on the day of the solar eclipse, which could include up to 12 hours of traffic delays, according to the New York State Police.

The Supreme Court of New York also warned that the solar eclipse could bring excessive traffic to Rochester, potentially delaying commute to court.

"Parties who have opted for in-person argument are strongly encouraged to arrive early to account for potential delays," the warning said. "Alternatively, these parties have until the close of business on Wednesday, April 3, to elect to argue remotely, should they find it more feasible.

"It is imperative to emphasize that parties who are not present when their case is called will be deemed submitted in accordance with court rules."

Police

Some police agencies, such as the New York State Police, have been planning for the eclipse for more than two years. The New York State Police has published a list of warnings for people, including that cell phone service may be interrupted given the enormous number of visitors on the day of the eclipse.

"The New York State Police has developed an emergency operation plan in collaboration with other state, local, and federal law enforcement, emergency services and transportation agencies," the press release said.

"The purpose of the planning process for this event, is to address the potential impacts within the North Country and to minimize any negative effects associated with such a large influx of visitors to the local area," the agency added. "Strike Teams will be strategically deployed to monitor traffic and respond rapidly to any issues that may interfere with the safe flow of traffic or affect the quick clearance of any incidents."

Newsweek reached out to the New York State Police by email for comment.