DETERMINATION OF STATE OF EMERGENCY IN OREGON TO FACILITATE ECLIPSE PREPAREDNESS AND READINESS

Public officials in Oregon have been considering the "worst case scenario" when it comes to Monday's solar eclipse. Things that could go wrong are hours-long delays on main freeways and highways; major wildfires; fuel or food shortages, fights or civil unrest and even a possible diseases outbreak. In response to the 1 million visitors to Oregon for the eclipse, which essentially increases Oregon's population by 25 percent, Gov. Kate Brown has issued an official State of Emergency.

Governor Brown issued an emergency declaration which will formalize statewide planning and collaboration efforts, which are being led by the Oregon Office of Emergency Management. Governor Brown activated the Oregon National Guard to deploy additional resources, personnel, and equipment. Some 150 Oregon Air and Army National Guard members and five Army National Guard aircraft will be deployed across the state the weekend prior to and on the day of the solar eclipse.

Read the full Declaration of Emergency here.

Because of this declaration, ODOT has also issued a suspension of motor carrier regulations that fall under Executive Order 17 - 14. This is done to expedite the movement of goods to provide relief to the public.

ODOT has declared the suspension of the following motor carrier laws related to vehicles providing essential supplies during the time period identified in the Executive Order, so until August 24, 2017.

Read ODOT's full letter here.

Again, here are some suggestions and information about the eclipse that ODOT has prepared for motor carriers:

• There is only one restriction on trucking in place because of the eclipse. Over-width loads will NOT be allowed to operate anywhere in Oregon from noon Friday, Aug. 18, to 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 22.  Other over-dimensional loads with permits, including triples, will still be allowed.
• ODOT will not close any state highways around the eclipse, but cities and counties may close some roads or prohibit left turns at some intersections to help traffic flow.
• Nearly all ODOT construction projects and non-emergency maintenance work will be shut down during the eclipse. Lane closures, detours and work zones will remain in place.
• Emergency closures for crashes and emergency responders may cause delays in addition to heavy traffic.
• Eclipse events are scheduled in many public parking areas such as fairgrounds. ODOT anticipates limited parking for commercial vehicles.
• ODOT Motor Carrier staff will be working on the day of the eclipse.
• Motor carriers are encouraged to reschedule deliveries as far as possible before or after Aug. 21.

More information on preparing for the eclipse: http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/Pages/Eclipse.aspx

Office of the Governor State of Oregon
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO, 17-14

DETERMINATION OF STATE OF EMERGENCY IN OREGON TO FACILITATE ECLIPSE PREPAREDNESS AND READINESS

ORS 401.165 et seq. empowers the Governor to declare a state of emergency upon determining that an emergency is imminent. ORS 402.105 et seq. facilities the sharing of resources between states when an emergency is declared,

I find that a Total Solar Eclipse occurring on August 21, 2017, is likely to cause a rapid influx of visitors from outside this State and substantial movement of Oregonians from one part of this State to another, within and proximate to the eclipse's Path of Totality. This unprecedented movement of people through our State could will likely make major roads impassable and could exceed our State's capacity to handle health and safety emergencies. Because this event is now imminent, I find it is prudent to and therefore do declare a state of emergency pursuant to the above referenced statutes.

This declaration will enable agencies to request assistance from other jurisdictions to facilitate the life and safety missions the agencies may undertake during the Total Solar Eclipse. This declaration further enables me to authorize state agencies to suspend provisions of any order or rule of the agency if strict compliance with the provisions of the order or rule would in any way prevent, hinder, or delay mitigating the effects of the emergency.

This declaration is intended to enhance and complement, not supplant, Executive Order 17-13,

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED AND DIRECTED

1. The Oregon Office of Emergency Management and the Oregon National Guard shall work with other states where needed to facilitate the utilization of interstate mutual aid and EMAC The Oregon Office of Emergency Management and the Oregon National Guard shall coordinate as needed with other states to request and receive life and safety resources such as MEDEVAC Helicopter(s) in Oregon to support the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse.
2. The Oregon Health Authority shall immediately exercise its authority to ensure that there are adequate emergency medical services during the Total Solar Eclipse by entering agreement(s) or contract(s) with any ambulance services within the State or in other states.
3. State agencies may suspend previsions of any order or rule of the agency if strict compliance with the previsions of the order or rule would in any way prevent, hinder, or delay mitigating the effort of Total Solar Eclipse.
4. This order shall be in effect August, 24, 2017, and shall be thereafter ex-pire, unless terminated sooner by the Governor.

Done at Salem, Oregon, this 14^th day of August, 2017.

Kate Brown
Governor

Dennis Richardson
Secretary Of State