A practical look at Monday's solar eclipse
By Paige Wright
UPDATE FRIDAY, APRIL 5 at 2:58p.m.- MISD campuses are closed on Monday, April 8.
The eclipse is upon us. After many informational and preparedness meetings over the last year, combined with an obsessive amount of reading and reviewing data from the 2017 eclipse… We have combined the following information to provide you with a straightforward overview of what Monday may look like. Yes, the preparation for the annular eclipse in October was, to use my term, overkill. Authorities know that but it was a great chance to dress rehearse what can—and does—go wrong when vast numbers of travelers migrate to and through an otherwise small community. Eastern Menard County is in the full path of totality where the moon moving between the sun and the earth will result in total darkness for around 2 minutes about a quarter past noon on Monday, April 8. These events are “pretty cool” to most of us, but are a big deal, THE deal to those who follow these things. There is going to be a lot of traffic. Not necessarily people making Menard their final eclipse-viewing destination, but on their way through event-laden hotbeds like Junction and Kerrville. Those people will need fuel, and snacks, and take up road space.
NO ONE IS SAYING THE ECLIPSE WILL MIMIC AN APOCALYPSE, or the end is nigh. The sky is not failing; the concern is traffic, including increased vehicles on local roadways as visitors, unfamiliar with our rural roads, search for their perfect place. These travelers may also be more distracted than normal which all ups the odds of car accidents.
Please do not raid the bread aisle at the store—this is not a pandemic. Ha. While you probably do not need to prepare to live in a bunker for 6 months, maybe go ahead a top off the fuel tank and grab that gallon of milk or pack of hamburger meat. This is because the people driving through our fair town will have the same needs as us- snacks, dog food, beer… We have all seen the holiday traffic on US 83. Increase that and amplify the traffic headache. If the passers-through contribute to the acceleration of our store shelves or fuel station depletion, we all know that Menard is not exactly on the priority end of the supply chain when it comes to restocking. So, honestly, it may be worth the time to complete a few simple errands now, to save inconvenience later.
Menard County Emergency Management office, and coordinator Jeff Whitson, is prepared for all sorts of issues that have happened when these events take place. There is a real possibility cell lines will be jammed with a major influx. Due to the traffic backup that may very well happen, maybe just stay home if you can and enjoy viewing the eclipse safely from there.
Speaking of staying home, MISD’s plan is to monitor the information on the eclipse and the potential impact on Menard. Monday is scheduled as a regular school day; however, administrators will be in communication with the Emergency Management Office and monitor the impact of traffic and visitors. Superintendent of schools Amy Bannowsky suggests parents/guardians consult their Remind app and Facebook for pertinent updates on Monday. If something changes with the situation, then you will be informed. In short, students and staff should treat this like a bad weather day- plan on business as usual but stay updated in case the call is made. If traffic gridlock happens, that would severely decrease the number of staff able to get to Menard from outlying areas. Please see update above; all MISD campuses will be closed on Monday, April 8.
Menard County Judge Brandon Corbin notes that a primary concern is private property and roads which may attract visitors if they are not gated and locked, especially in the southeast part of the county. Unfortunately, a few basic guards against trespassing would likely prove beneficial.
In an abundance of caution, the county is prepared to open a shelter should a significant event happen that strands people in town. This all stems from emergency management plans based off what has happened in other highly populated eclipse events. They are not just overreacting and looking for things to go wrong. These things HAVE gone wrong in the past. Another big concern for the county is an unintentional fire, although we have gotten enough rain to minimize that risk. With so much extra traffic, accidents that can shut down highways will be another big concern.
Traffic data from similar events has shown the biggest backup is after the eclipse on Monday afternoon, as people all head back home at the same time. In Wyoming, a rural route was backed up for 17 miles after the completion of the eclipse in 2017. In Kentucky there was a 10-mile backup from the traffi c congestion.
The City of Menard employees will be at work that day. They will be granted an extended lunch hour, 11-2, to allow safe viewing as they wish. Although there is no anticipated concern involving city employees, they will remain “on call,” in case the need arises.
Monday’s weather forecast holds the risk of thunderstorms and cloud cover as of press time. This forecast is not helpful for determining traffic patterns because maybe people will note the conditions and go to a sunnier location, reducing our traffic count. Or, traffic may be even heavier as visitors abandon their original plan to scramble up better viewing conditions. A notable quote from a Hopkinsville, KY, authority after the 2017 eclipse brought thousands to their town, was: “Anytime you try to predict human behavior you’re just asking for trouble.”
This gives me a chance to share a couple other lines from emergency management and local government that were recorded after the 2017 eclipse: “This is like the Super Bowl, but without a stadium.” Granted this was from a location smack dab in the middle of the totality path. One more— an emergency management coordinator in Kentucky stated: “In the end, we were grossly overprepared. I will never apologize for being grossly overprepared.”
Let us face it—we may have occasional snarky comments about the overkill of preparation, but as soon we or a loved one may require that assistance… We’ll certainly change our tune and be grateful our offi cials are ready and willing to assist!
Pack your patience, and know that authorities are people, too, who are trying to do the best at their respective positions. I have found no evidence of any local officials plotting to impede upon anyone’s civil liberties, yet. Safety is the common goal, for our locals as well as visitors and passers-through.
If you need eclipse glasses for Monday, they are available at Menard Bank, The Chamber of Commerce, and free on the front porch of the news office. Onward and eclipse-ward, Menard!