WACO, Texas — The goal for the 2024 total solar eclipse is to have fun while staying safe.
That's why Bell County authorities are doing everything they can to prepare for the 1.5-million people expected to be under the sun April 8 and the weekend leading up to it.
Stacey McClinton with the Bell County Sheriff's Office said they're focused on the high volume of cars that will be on Central Texas roads when the weekend comes.
"All the hotels are already booked and now the rest of the visitors are planning to camp out on properties that allow them to," McClinton added.
That's why she asks anyone who lives in Bell County to stay home that weekend.
"Do your shopping ahead of time and don't be on the roads because there will be a lot of people."
The department is ready for anything. McClinton said their patrol units will work in 12 hour shifts rather than the normal eight hours so they can ensure everyone is taken care of to the best of their ability.
McClinton said in the case of an emergency road will be congested so she asks people be patient and know that authorities will get to them as soon as they can.
Luckily their department has some history to go off of when it comes to preparing for such a big event like this. They've been using data from the Wyoming State Agency Eclipse Report for what to expect come April in Central Texas.
A look into the 2017 Eclipse Report from Wyoming:
Wyoming Visitor Spending Generated by Eclipse (in $000) $63,450
Out-of-state visitors: $59,840
Wyoming residents: $3,610
Eclipse-related Earnings (in $000) $11,540
Eclipse- related Tax Receipts and Earnings (in $000) $3,780
Tax receipts to State of Wyoming: $2,340
Local tax government receipts: $1,440
Visitor on Eclipse-related Trips: 261,100
Out-of-state visitors: 197,600
Wyoming residents: 63,500
For more on this report, click here.
What the Bell County Sheriff's Department asks of you:
- Stay home for the total solar eclipse if you live in Bell County
- Do your shopping for food, gas, party supplies and more ahead of time
- Expect authorities to respond to any emergency you have but know their response time might be varied because of the high volume of travelers on the roads.
- Wear your protective glasses