Ahead of the Solar Eclipse, Hill Country Towns Are Bracing for Chaos

In the hours before the sky turns dark on the afternoon of April 8, highways crisscrossing the Texas Hill Country, the scenic landscape west of Austin, are expected to turn into parking lots. A trip that might normally take an hour and a half could, because of traffic congestion, suddenly require eleven hours of driving. As rural towns are overwhelmed by travelers, local officials anticipate some problems—vehicles are expected to run out of gas, visitors could run out of food and water, and some convenience stores may run out of necessities. If history is any lesson, car wrecks may spike and scores of drivers could become stranded on the side of the road, increasing the risk of wildfires. Depending on your location, first responders may…

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