MISSION, Kan. — Buy extra groceries. Print driving directions. And be very, very patient.
Small towns and rural areas along the path of April’s total solar eclipse are bracing for large crowds of sun enthusiasts who plan to see the day turn into night in North America.
Local leaders in the path of totality from Texas to Maine have brought in extra fuel and portable toilets, and encouraged residents and visitors to be ready. Some counties have issued disaster declarations to receive additional support with policing and other aid, similar to the aftermath of severe storms. And in Oklahoma, the National Guard will assist.
Due to anticipated 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?
No need to look 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, Nebraska, where the normal population of around 12,000 swelled to around 40,000 as eclipse watchers arrived.
“You had gas stations running out of gas,” said Traub, who also serves on the board that runs the Martz-Kohl Observatory near Frewsburg, New York. “You had restaurants running out of food. You had restrooms that were full and closed.”
This time around, top viewing locations want to avoid a repeat.
“They are preparing for mostly a worst-case scenario,” he said. “And hopefully that won’t be the case.”
CELLPHONES MIGHT NOT WORK
In central Texas, emergency officials in Hays County recommend a “solar eclipse survival bag” stocked with items including a mobile phone and charger.
The bag, the instructions advise, also should contain a hard copy of maps and a compass — “goin’ old school!”
The reminder to bring a fully charged phone — but to expect possible jammed signals — is widespread in prime viewing spots. In 2017, drivers using their cellphones to share photos and navigate through traffic overwhelmed towers.
“Write down key phone numbers just in case,” advised the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) east of Austin.
STOCK UP ON FUEL AND FOOD
Don’t wait until the last minute to buy groceries is common advice from several Texas counties that have issued disaster declarations so they can get get extra help with the crowds.
Among them is Kerr County, located about 65 miles (105 kilometers) northwest of San Antonio in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, where the normal population of 53,000 is expected to double or triple.
“Make sure your vehicles are tanked up, that you have sufficient grocery supplies, that your prescriptions are filled and that you are stocked up on provisions for any animals in your care,” Rob Kelly, the county’s top official who signed the disaster declaration, said in an online post.
In Ohio, where Gov. Mike DeWine signed an executive order this month to assure the state was well prepared, emergency management officials are urging residents to top off their gas tanks or fully charge their electric vehicles before heading out.
Traub advises people to prepare for the eclipse in a similar manner as they would for a snowstorm: 'Get ready, stock up, and be ready to stay indoors.'
Dan Serafin, the owner of Serafin’s Food Market in Erie, Pennsylvania, is buying extra milk, eggs, water, and batteries as a preparation. He commented, 'This is crazy.'
Preparations are being made in the air and at sea.
Even smaller regional airports are making preparations. Katrina Amos, the airport manager in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, mentioned that they are bringing in extra fuel.
The airport was surprised in 2017, when the city of around 40,000 along the Mississippi River was also in the path of totality.
Between 40 to 50 additional planes landed that day. Amos stated, 'We did not expect this.'
This year, volunteers have volunteered to assist in parking the extra planes that are expected. Additionally, there will be hamburgers and hot dogs, according to Amos.
Offshore, the Coast Guard will have boats patrolling in Lake Erie; it’s along the path and some boaters plan to watch from the water.
Prepare for traffic inconvenience.
Dr. Brad Raetzke, an emergency room doctor in Columbus, Ohio, and a medical director for several fire departments in the area, mentioned that all fire departments in the path of the eclipse will be fully staffed.
He’s worried about eye injuries if people look at the sun without protective glasses. Additionally, with the extra traffic, there will likely be more crash injuries, said Raetzke.
In 2017, he and his family traveled to Nashville, Tennessee, to observe the eclipse. The return journey took 15 hours, instead of the usual six. 'So I can understand the importance of planning,' he said.
In Erie, where hotels are almost full, residents are encouraged to give up the interstates to visitors, with signs posted over 150 miles (241 kilometers) outside the city limits warning of delays.
Traffic will be 'just almost nightmarish once totality ends,' said Chris Temple, the VisitErie spokesperson, who has been in meetings for over a year planning for an influx of visitors that could double the size of the city of 94,000.
Despite the inconveniences, the city’s tourism slogan to get eclipse-ready — SHINE — ends with a reminder.
'Enjoy the moment,' said Temple.
