On Monday, April 8, a total solar eclipse will black out the sun for over three minutes in the middle of the day. Because Columbus is in the path of totality, officials expect anywhere from 50,000 to 200,000 visitors to our community on the days surrounding the eclipse.
This influx of people will keep first responders busy with traffic congestion, potential accidents, and other health and safety risks.
Surrounding the 2017 eclipse, transportation, communications, and emergency services sectors of several small communities were overwhelmed when large crowds migrated to areas not designed for swarms of people. These communities faced numerous challenges including malfunctioning cellular communications.
In preparation for the eclipse, a Bartholomew County committee of city and county leaders, led by Bartholomew County Emergency Management, has been meeting for several months to discuss safety and communications for the days surrounding the eclipse. Columbus Regional Health representatives have been members of this committee, and the health system is managing its own preparation and response efforts as the leading healthcare provider in this area.
One strategy will be requiring all uniformed officers, police and fire, be on duty and spread throughout the community. Because traffic might make it impossible for emergency vehicles to pass, officers will be manning ATVs and bicycles, as well as their usual vehicles.
Area officials are encouraging residents to prepare ahead of time by buying groceries, medicines and all other essential items the week before the eclipse.
The Indiana Department of Homeland Security put together the following safety checklist for anyone planning to watch and/or travel to watch the eclipse.
An Eclipse-Ready Checklist
● A Full Tank of Gas: With expected visitors flocking in from all over to witness this special phenomenon, gas supplies could quickly be depleted. We recommend filling up as often and early as possible – sticking with at least half tank is usually safest.
● Water: According to the federal government, you need a gallon of water per person per day.
● Food: You'll appreciate having some snacks if you're stuck on the side of the road or in traffic. Make sure to choose something shelf-stable, such as energy bars or camping food, that can stay fresh for a long time.
● Layering Glasses: If you normally wear eyeglasses, keep them on and put your eclipse glasses on over them, or hold your handheld viewer in front of them.
● Extra Auto Fluids: Before you embark on your eclipse road trip, make sure your car is in great shape. As backup, ensure you have an extra gallon of coolant and windshield washer fluid, plus at least a quart of oil.
● Mobile Phone and Car Charger: Spotty cell coverage and GPS navigation apps can sap a phone’s battery quickly – be sure you’ve got a charger to ensure you’ll always be in-the-know!
● Physical/Paper Map: Don't let a potential cell network overload ruin your eclipse experience! Be sure to prepare for any possible phone coverage outages by bringing an atlas or large state road map along with you. This will provide helpful guidance around alternative routes.
● Physical Money: It’s always important to carry physical cash on hand, as you might need to fuel up or buy supplies somewhere that doesn’t accept credit cards, or can’t because of an outage.
● Extra Medication: It's always a good idea to plan ahead for your medication needs when you travel. Be sure to bring enough of each prescription, plus an extra supply just in case.
● First-Aid Kit: A good first-aid kit can help in the event of an accident or other setback. The American Red Cross offers a checklist for creating your own kit, full of items you might not think of to include.
● Basic Toolkit: A handy toolkit is definitely something to have on-hand. It should consist of items like an adjustable wrench, screwdrivers, pocket knife and tire pressure gauge.
● Traditional or Portable Jumper Cables: Whether you have traditional or portable jumper cables, you’ll hopefully be able to save both time and money in comparison to calling a tow truck should your car fail during your excursion. Be sure to brush up on those jumping skills so that if needed, you'll know exactly what needs to be done should any emergency arise!
● Headlamp or Flashlight + Extra Batteries : This will be helpful should you need to change a tire or poke around under the hood of your car when it’s pitch black!
● Spare Tire: Protect yourself before you hit the road! If your car has a spare or temporary tire, make sure it's properly inflated.
● Emergency Flares or Reflectors: If your car breaks down on the side of the road, flares can be a lifesaver! They make other drivers aware that you're there and need extra space to deal with any maintenance issues.
