Traffic jams that last 12 hours. Gas stations that can’t meet the demand for fuel. Jammed-up cellphone networks.
Those are just some of the concerning conditions New York authorities are preparing for ahead of next month’s total solar eclipse — a once-in-a-lifetime event that could bring millions of tourists into the Empire State.
So far, two New York State Police troops have warned the public to prepare for an influx of people to snarl traffic on April 8, the day of the eclipse.
Troop B, which serves the Adirondacks, and Troop E, based in Canandaigua, recently announced the state police have created an emergency plan filled with “lessons learned” from the 2017 solar eclipse — a time when some regions experienced a 100% population increase for the event, troopers said.
Although the weather will impact how many tourists end up picking New York as their eclipse destination, estimates are startling:
Erie County officials are preparing for one million tourists to flock to the Buffalo area, the Buffalo Museum of Science said. Up to 500,000 people are expected to travel to the Rochester area, according to the Democrat & Chronicle. And officials estimate about 170,000 visitors will head to the Adirondack Park, an Adirondack Mountain Club official told NPR.
Along with headache-inducing traffic jams, the troops also detailed the problems the state police fear both regions could face during the solar spectacle.
Both troops cautioned that gas stations may not be able to handle the flood of motorists. In the Rochester area and the Adirondacks, troopers are concerned gridlocked traffic could leave motorists stranded and make it hard for responders to quickly get to emergencies.
In the Adirondacks and North Country, troopers are urging eclipse watchers and residents to prepare for it to take as long as 4 to 12 hours to get out of the region.
Fearful that the rush of tourists will clog traffic and drain supplies, Tupper Lake Supervisor Rick Datolla told the Adirondacks Explorer the town planned to put an ad in the local newspaper to warn residents to fill up their tanks and stock up on food.
“I’ve got to be honest with you: I’m scared as hell,” Datolla told the newspaper.
The state has been prepping for the eclipse for 17 months, Gov. Kathy Hochul said Monday, and has learned from the past.
“We saw from the last experience many years ago that there were traffic jams and people running out of gas,” “We’re not going to let that happen in New York because we’re New Yorkers and we’ll be prepared.”
The governor said she has directed the state police, the state Department of Transporation and the Thruway Authority to get ready for a “high volume” of travelers. To help traffic flow smoothly, construction and temporary lane closures will be paused.
The Thruway Authority wrote a list of “do’s and don’ts” for traveling during the eclipse to help New Yorkers and visitors prepare for the traffic the event will inevitably bring.
Here are the Thruway Authority’s best tips for eclipse trekkers:
- Get to your viewing spot early and stay late
- Give yourself extra time to get to your destination
- Only use service area, text stop and park-and-ride lots for short-term parking
- Don’t park on the shoulder of highways or stop in the middle of traffic
- Do not stand on the side of highways
- Put your phone down while driving
More about the 2024 solar eclipse
Daisy Hips is a science communicator who brings the wonders of the natural world to readers. Her articles explore breakthroughs in various scientific disciplines, from space exploration to environmental conservation. Daisy is also an advocate for science education and enjoys stargazing in her spare time.
