LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — On Friday, Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders declared a state of emergency and released $100,000 from the Response and Recovery Fund ahead of the total solar eclipse.
"Out of an abundance of caution, I've directed funds to be released from the Response and Recovery Fund ahead of the Great American Eclipse," Sanders said. "This will assist commercial carriers in transporting essential items to customers in Arkansas during the eclipse. We want to make sure Arkansans and all visitors have an enjoyable experience and come back again."
The total solar eclipse on April 8 is expected to bring an influx of travelers to Arkansas, which lies in the path of totality. Sanders said the travel-related conditions could result in a backlog of deliveries by commercial vehicles transporting essential items of commerce to customers in the state.
The Arkansas Department of Transportation expects between 300,000 and 1.5 million people to visit for the historic event. They said the Little Rock metro area heading up to northwest Arkansas on Interstates 40, 49 and 65 is expected to see the most traffic, which could be backed up between five and seven hours.