The upcoming total solar eclipse in April is expected to be not only awe-inspiring but also potentially spiritual, though it carries its own set of risks. This eclipse is expected to surpass the 2017 event in several aspects. The width of the totality’s shadow will be double, making it more accessible for viewers in various states. Moreover, the duration of totality, when the moon completely obscures the sun, will exceed 4 minutes at many sites, nearly doubling the length of the last event.
Ernie Wright, from NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio, noted, “2024 passes over a much bigger population. More than twice as many people live in the path and don’t have to go anywhere to see it.” If you happen to be in the U.S. path of the eclipse, stretching from Kerrville, Texas, to Houlton, Maine, you’re in for a treat. However, for those in smaller towns along the path, while you’re set for some pretty cool and intimate views, be prepared for a bit of a challenge.
Total solar eclipse: Emergency officials advise stocking up on food, water, gas, and other basics
With many eclipse chasers heading your way, emergency officials advise stocking up on food, water, gas, and other basics. These locations, often not easily accessible or with abundant resources, could become overcrowded, leading to serious traffic congestion and straining local supplies. Jonathan Upchurch, a transportation engineering consultant, explained in Transportation Research News, as reported by IFLScience, that “the millions of people drawn to locations along the eclipse path taxed limited transportation facilities, and traffic congestion was intense in many locations.”
“Across the country, Interstate highways near the path of totality experienced traffic congestion shortly after the eclipse, with longer-than-normal travel times on Interstate highways. For example, travel from Casper, Wyoming, to Denver, Colorado—normally a 4-hour trip—took 10 hours or more,” Upchurch continued. “Traffic congestion on rural Interstate routes lasted for up to 13 hours after the eclipse.” So, grab your eclipse glasses, choose wisely when picking a site, and plan accordingly. This is the last total solar eclipse visible in the lower 48 states until 2044, NASA reported.