Boone County News Release
For Immediate Release
Media Contact:
Tom Hurley, Emergency Management Deputy Director
Phone: (573) 554-7908
Boone County Emergency Management Coordinating for Eclipse
August 18, 2017 - Boone County Emergency Management, along with partner agencies in our community, stand ready to be of service to the community during the upcoming solar eclipse. Our office has been in frequent contact with other response and recovery agencies from across our community to ensure we are as well prepared as possible.
The planning for the upcoming eclipse event started well over one year ago with planning meetings. These meetings included a diverse group of attendees representing various response and recovery professionals, volunteers and subject matter experts as well as local government officials. As the day of the eclipse draws near, our community is well prepared for the influx of people and national attention as the day briefly becomes dark.
According to Terry Cassil, Director of Emergency Management "Our staff will be in service throughout the weekend to monitor events locally across Boone County." Adding that Emergency Management will have a primary mission of coordination and communication across the emergency services community will continue into Monday as we open our Emergency Operations Center that morning for any partner agency that would like to join us as we coordinate resources and monitor, in real time, local conditions and events.
Although major disruptions are not anticipated in our community, the Office of Emergency Management does ask residents to be prepared for heavy traffic in the days leading up to, and including the day of the eclipse; residual traffic the day after the event may be heavy as well. Citizens are encouraged to have additional water and food available if they will be traveling to view the eclipse, even if travel is limited to the local area. Also, citizens should allow extra time on Monday for all travel, especially in the three to five hours after the eclipse as traffic will be especially heavy around that time.
Be sure to remember that traffic will be heavy, at times very heavy in and around Boone County. Boone County Emergency Management urges folks to add plenty of extra time to get to your destination. Whether you are going to work, school or to view the eclipse, please allow for abundant extra time. Traffic will be most heavy in the three to five hours after totality, however prior to the eclipse traffic may be very heavy as well. Please have a plan that includes ample time to travel to and from your destination.
Do not attempt to view the eclipse while driving, instead, take a break and pull off the roadway to view the event; better yet arrive early at a prime location to watch the eclipse. Citizens, residents and visitors are reminded to wear eye protection that meets or exceeds standards established for such viewing glasses. Staring at the sun will cause damage to your eyes as well as photography equipment.
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