Millcreek Township reminds residents to view the eclipse safely and to expect heavy traffic. The surge of visitors in Erie County, and especially Presque Isle State Park, will leave the community gridlocked if certain precautions are not followed.
“We want Millcreek residents to enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime experience. However, with an unknown total of tens of thousands of visitors expected, we are asking residents to be smart and proactive,” said Public Safety Liaison and Millcreek Township Supervisor Kim Clear, “We’re making sure emergency personnel have a heavy presence and are ready to respond anywhere.”
Millcreek urges residents to plan for traffic to be much heavier than normal leading up to the eclipse and at a standstill for hours immediately following it. With this, Millcreek officials recommend that the best place for our residents to view the eclipse is from home. With tens of thousands of visitors expected throughout the region, parking is not guaranteed at any public gathering spaces. Popular regional attractions, such as Presque Isle State Park, are anticipating unprecedented crowds.
With heavy traffic expected along major roadways and in the greater Erie area over the weekend, Millcreek urges residents to prepare themselves accordingly. This includes asking questions such as:
- Am I stocked up on groceries?
- Do I have any appointments scheduled for that day?
- Can my caregiver arrive and depart safely that day?
- Where will my kids be and are they equipped properly to view the eclipse safely?
Please visit science.nasa.gov/eclipses for safe viewing techniques. These tips include when to use eclipse glasses and how to properly use devices with lenses.
The eclipse will be on April 8, 2024. It will start at approximately 2 P.M., reach totality during the brief window of about 3:16 – 3:19 P.M., and finish around 4:40 P.M. The eclipse will be unlike 2017 when residents experienced a partial eclipse that left the sky hazy. The total eclipse will plunge Erie County into complete darkness. Additionally, the sun’s corona or glowing upper atmosphere will be visible. Another total eclipse will not be seen in Erie County until 2144.
For more information, visit www.millcreektownship.com/eclipse.
