A crowd wears protective glasses as they watch the beginning of the solar eclipse from Salem, Ore., Aug. 21, 2017. Anticipating large crowds of eclipse viewers, emergency management officials in Oklahoma’s McCurtain County requested support from the Oklahoma National Guard.
These posts were flagged as part of Meta’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. , the Oklahoma National Guard said it would be supporting local officials because of crowds. Oklahoma National Guard’s 63rd Civil Support Team members will be"available to assist local government agencies" during the eclipse, according to aMcCurtain County officials requested support because up to 100,000 additional people are expected to visit the area to watch the eclipse.
Lt. Col. LeeAnn Tumblson, an Oklahoma National Guard spokesperson, said nearly 20 unit members would provide support that day. The Aug. 21, 2017, eclipse’s path of totality did not cross through Oklahoma, but other states’ National Guard membersto support local authorities if needed. In Oregon, the 2017 eclipse coincided with peak fire season, and National Guard members