How to prepare for next month’s solar eclipse [Video]

MISSION, Kan. — Stock up on groceries. Print off driving directions. And be very, very patient.

Tourism and community leaders in the path of totality from Texas to Maine have trucked in extra fuel and port-a-potties, and urged residents and visitors to be prepared. Some counties have issued disaster declarations to get extra help with policing and other aid, similar to the aftermath of severe storms. And in Oklahoma, the National Guard will help.

Because of expected heavy traffic and other disruptions, hundreds of schools are closing or switching to remote learning in states including Texas, Indiana, Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont.

WHY ALL THE WARNINGS?

Look no further back than the last U.S. total solar eclipse in 2017 to understand the concern, said Tom Traub, who is part of NASA’s eclipse ambassador program.

That year, he traveled to Beatrice, …