The August 21 eclipse means Armageddon for some - here's your guide on how to avoid it

Officials in several U.S. states, impacted by the upcoming August 21 solar eclipse are bracing for Armageddon as millions of people are about to pack into hundreds of small towns and communities. The influx will place tremendous strain on local infrastructure, and could prove disastrous for the poorly prepared.

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The Aug. 21 total solar eclipse will be an amazing sight for millions of people. Here's how to avoid ruining it.

Highlights

By Marshall Connolly (CALIFORNIA NETWORK)
Catholic Online (https://www.catholic.org)
8/8/2017 (6 years ago)

Published in U.S.

Keywords: August 21, solar eclipse, total, guide, viewing

LOS ANGELES, CA (California Network) -- The Great American Eclipse as it is called goes by another name in some places, Armageddon. States from Oregon to Missouri, to South Carolina, are bracing for the influx of millions of people, crowded into a narrow band of territory, no more than 70 miles wide.

There will be several problems. Traffic will be the first as people drive to the lucky locations under the path of totality, that is, where the Moon will fully cover the Sun, for about two minutes. That path crosses cities, small towns, neighborhoods, and private property alike. Local residents can expect to see visitors and their cars, trundling everywhere, seeking a good spot to watch the eclipse for an hour or so.

After the traffic comes the shortages of everything. People will be hungry and they will need gas for their cars. Gas stations expect to see shortages, despite temporary price increases. Visitors and locals alike should plan on paying inflated prices for everything, especially gas.

Then there's the restroom shortage. When a million people pack into a community of just a few thousand, and they need to use the restroom, where will they go? Adults might be able to wait a few hours, until they are back on the road to home, but children may be another matter. Restrooms will be overrun, and all it takes is one person's kid to clog a toilet, turning a public restroom from a crowded, unpleasant place into a virtual hazmat situation.

There won't be much cell reception, as everyone live-streams themselves standing in the shadow of the Moon. For some people who can't stay off social media, this could be a crisis.

More seriously, emergency services will find it difficult to make headway where needed. Between traffic and crowds, first responders will face difficulties.

The power grid is another concern, since it is made increasingly of solar panels. Officials expect to lose about 9,000 MW of power during the eclipse, but they have planned for this and don't expect any long-term disruption.

State officials are deploying everything they have to the eclipse, from state police to the National Guard. Traffic and crowd control are primary concerns as well as public safety. In several states, aircraft are being deployed to help monitor the situation on the ground and provide support.

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In states like Oregon, the eclipse comes at the peak of fire season, so authorities there are being extra vigilant.

Naturally, most people who live in these areas are unhappy about the disruption. While they enjoy the incredible luck of seeing a total solar eclipse where they live, they also face the shut-down of their communities. Many workplaces are closed. Others are working overtime to deal with the crush of people.

On social media, less-than-honest folks are pushing back by claiming that their skies will be cloudy during the eclipse. It is still too soon to be certain of any forecasts. However, such attempts will be futile, and even under cloudy skies, die-hard people will come by the thousands, carried by the inertia of their inflexible plans. Locals will have to show some patience. There will be strange people in your streets and in your parking spaces. Locals are advised to hunker down in advance and try to be hospitable for the few hours they are there. It's better to be accommodating and to enjoy the event alongside them, than to be overcome with useless anxiety.

Locals should also remember the influx of visitors brings a financial windfall to many businesses across the path of totality. Once the traffic is gone, the restrooms cleaned, and the shelves restocked, will come the counting of the money, and it is expected to be in the billions.

Even some stock market gurus are trying to guess if the eclipse will have any impact on the financial sector.

For those planning to view the eclipse, a few caveats. First, remember to treat others as you would like to be treated. Don't trespass, and when in doubt, ask permission first, or assume the answer is no. Be polite, especially to the locals. They did not ask for this event to befall them, and many of them have to work just so you can have an enjoyable experience. They deserve courtesy and respect. All of them are putting up with disruption, shortages, and high prices. You get to go home and escape the madness afterwards, they don't.

Don't litter. Just don't. Instead of piling trash onto an already overflowing can, consider packing it out with you. Put everything into a bag and take it home, or dispose of it in an empty trash receptacle on the way. Don't be that guy that adds one more item to a can that's overflowing onto the ground.

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Obey the laws wherever you go, especially regarding parking. While it will be difficult to enforce parking restrictions, problems can be created if locals try to take matters into their own hands. Show respect, and show patience, the event only lasts about two hours.

It is best to fuel your vehicle well in advance of entering the region where the eclipse will be viewed. If driving from far away towards the path of totality, pay attention to gas prices. As soon as you notice them rising above average, stop and top off your tank, even if it's just a quarter empty. In the path of totality, prices will be inflated, and shortages will occur. You may end up paying a lot of money for little gas, or getting no gas at all. Stock up on snacks and food in advance. This will save you a lot of money, and will ensure the locals have something left over too.

Take eclipse viewing glasses for looking at the Sun. Even then, do not look at the Sun for more than a moment at a time. If you have dark welding glass on hand, it makes a handy substitute. When possible, find an organized viewing event. Not only will these events offer some amenities, such as restrooms, there will also be telescopes and solar projections to allow you to enjoy the eclipse in detail. There will also be better parking and security on hand.

Finally, allow a lot of time to arrive and to leave the area. Freeways will be jammed and there will be accidents. You could take hours to travel a short distance. Leave early, and plan on a painfully slow departure.

A total solar eclipse is a rare event for any one place on the planet. Most people never get the chance to see one. This time, all of America has a chance to see one, and it will be a remarkable event that will be remembered by all who experience it. But nobody wants an unpleasant memory. A little planning and a little respect is all that's needed to ensure everyone has a good time.

For those who cannot leave home for the eclipse, the event will be visible across the whole of the United States as a partial eclipse. At least half of the Sun will be covered. For added educational value, there is certain to be viewing events in every community, especially at local colleges. Check local listings for these events. The eclipse will also be live-streamed online from various sources, giving you the option of watching the event from the comfort of your home.

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