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Second county issues emergency declaration ahead of ‘Storm Area 51’ event

by Marina Pitofsky 08/30/19 10:08 AM CDT

A second Nevada county has approved an emergency declaration ahead of the viral “Storm Area 51″ event that has drawn major interest on social media.

Nye County commissioners voted unanimously this week to pass the preemptive declaration.

Nye County is home to Amargosa Valley, the original site for the event, which has since been moved to the town of Rachel, the self-proclaimed “UFO Capital of the World.”

Commissioners in Lincoln County, where the Sept. 20 event is now slated to be held, voted earlier this month to pre-sign an emergency declaration allowing state resources to help the rural county if UFO enthusiasts do try to raid the area.

The declaration went into effect Thursday and will end on September 22, a city spokesperson confirmed in a statement to The Hill.

“Signing the Declaration enables County officials to work with the state on allocating resources to the County as needed, as well as partnering on strategy and tactics for the event,” the statement said. The Declaration will also help the County apply for reimbursement for some costs that may be incurred during the event.”

{mosads}It all started as an internet joke in late June with the creation of a satirical Facebook event called “Storm Area 51, They Can’t Stop All of Us.” The event has since drawn major social media interest, with more than 2 million Facebook users RSVPing and the event going viral on the popular video app TikTok.

The rural part of Nevada has long been a source of folklore and conspiracy theories due to the home of the once-secret U.S. Air Force Base Area 51.

Officials have made preparations in the event that thousands of visitors actually show up in the desert.

Earlier this year, the Air Force published a warning to those who may plan on attending the event, saying it is “dangerous” for anyone to try to enter military instillations or training areas.

“The United States Air Force is aware of the Facebook post,” Air Force spokesperson Laura McAndrews told ABC News in a statement. “The Nevada Test and Training Range is an area where the Air Force tests and trains combat aircraft. As a matter of practice, we do not discuss specific security measures, but any attempt to illegally access military installations or military training areas is dangerous.”

One of the organizers behind the “Storm Area 51” event announced earlier this month that he is planning a real-life alien-themed music festival in Nevada next month called “Alienstock.” The event, which is scheduled for Sept. 20–22, is expected to be a “party in the desert,” according to its website.