BEDFORD – Emergency Management Director Valerie Luchaure said she and other officials have worked tirelessly to prepare the county for the upcoming solar eclipse on Monday, April 8th.
The Lawrence County Commissioners voted Tuesday morning to close the courthouse at Noon on Monday, April 8th.
Commissioner President Wally Branham wanted to close the courthouse to prevent the increased traffic entering and using the public restrooms. He was also concerned about employees’ ability to get home.
Commissioner Rodney Fish said there was no correct answer to address the issue.
“Those with vacation or PTR time could use that,” he added.
“We have tried to think of everything,” he added. We will work with Terri Jo and WBIW and publish and air some reminders next week to prepare everyone for what to expect.”
Lawrence County will have an eclipse visibility increase that is not typically seen in eclipses we have had in the past.
Max View in Bedford, Indiana
Global Event: Total Solar Eclipse
Begins: Mon, Apr 8, 2024 at 1:48 pm
Maximum: Mon, Apr 8, 2024 at 3:06 pm 1.016 Magnitude
Ends: Mon, Apr 8, 2024 at 4:22 pm
Duration: 2 hours, 34 minutes
Totality: 3 minutes, 43 seconds
The eclipse will last three minutes and 43 seconds and begin at 3:06 p.m. However, various visibility changes, such as crescents, will occur leading up to and after the total blackout, beginning at 1:48 p.m. and ending at 4:22 p.m. for two hours and 34 minutes.
Due to the number of visitors expected in Southern Indiana, particularly Monroe County, Lawrence County could see long-term traffic congestion and hour-long delays. Traffic back-ups in areas not commonly seen. All other places that have experienced eclipse totality have reported traffic backups for miles, including 10-12 hour delays in getting to their destination for an average trip that could take two hours.
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.
