BEDFORD – Roughly 6.8 million people live in Indiana, and officials say they expect nearly one million more people to travel to the state to view the total eclipse, including Lawrence County.
Big and small events are planned throughout the state, which means a lot of traffic.
Max View in Bedford, Indiana
Global Event: Total Solar Eclipse
Local Type: Total Solar Eclipse in Bedford, Indiana
Begins: Mon, Apr 8, 2024 at 1:48 p.m.
Maximum: Mon, Apr 8, 2024 at 3:06 p.m. 1.016 Magnitude
Ends: Mon, Apr 8, 2024 at 4:22 p.m.
Duration: 2 hours, 34 minutes
Totality: 3 minutes, 43 seconds
Emergency Management Director Valerie Luchauer says you should plan errands and appointments two to three days before the eclipse.
Luchauer warns locals not to take basic living fundamentals like gas, water, cell phones, etc., for granted and to take action now to prepare.
Plan to stock up on groceries. Be aware of local businesses and service hours, as they might close or close early during the eclipse. Make sure to get diapers and formula as inventories could be depleted.
Fill up your gas tank and be sure your oil and transmission levels are good.
Try not to wait until the day of Eclipse to refill prescriptions as they may not be available, or you might not be able to reach the pharmacy due to the increased traffic.
Make sure your cell phone is charged. A portable power bank is always a good idea and will help ensure you can charge your phone.
Cell phone and internet lag time or non-existent. Due to the number of people uploading videos, streaming, and just calling in general, cell service is expected to lag to nonexistent. Text messages should work, and a reminder should be provided that text to 911 is available for emergencies if calls cannot go through.
While you may not ordinarily carry cash, having a small amount is a good idea. We might encounter tech issues that day, like ATMs not functioning and having money to pay for gas, water, snacks, or other needed items, which is a good idea.
Find safety glasses.
