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CELINA - The Celina Police Department plans to send out extra officers and close Lake Shore Drive on April 8 in an effort to protect the public as much as possible amid the total solar eclipse.
Mercer County's population is projected to double on April 8 with the arrival of stargazers from across the country. City officials worry the visitors may snarl traffic, raising the risk of accidents and significant delays for locals.
With events planned or lodging booked at the Mercer County Fairgrounds, Grand Lake St. Marys State Park and Rush Sports Complex, Celina Police Chief Tom Wale expects traffic to pick up beginning Friday, April 5.
"We are expecting heavy traffic," Wale said at this week's regular city council meeting. "If it's as heavy as they say, you're going to have to get where you're going and stay there before it gets bad."
Crown Equipment Corporation in Celina and Celina City Schools will be closed April 8, Wale said. A number of other facilities and plants are either closing or shutting down at noon, not knowing if second shift will be able to make it in or employees get back home, added mayor Jeff Hazel.
"We are going to have extra officers out, mainly for traffic," Wale said.
Some officers will be assigned to electric bicycles to better navigate through potentially congested traffic as they respond to complaints or accidents, Wale noted.
Wale said Lake Shore Drive will be shut down to prevent crashes at either end.
"When traffic gets that heavy, especially like when the fireworks lets out, it's really hard for people to get off of Lake Shore Drive," he pointed out.
Some businesses have indicated they intend to block off private parking areas, Wale said.
The police chief also warned about potentially disrupted cellphone service.
"Fortunately we have really good cell infrastructure in this area so we should be able to handle most of it," he said. "That being said, you can text to 911. Just make sure when you use 911, it's for a true emergency, not because somebody is parking in your driveway."
Hazel also reminded folks to fill up on gas and groceries ahead of time, pointing to other areas of the country where goods and resources quickly vanished during past solar eclipses.
"In Kentucky, store shelves went empty after the crowd was there," he said. "Make sure that you're stocked up at home and make sure you do have fuel in your vehicles."
Mercer County Emergency Management Agency offers the following solar eclipse preparation tips:
• Lines may be long for local services such as restaurants, gas stations, grocery and retail stores. Do what you can ahead of time and allow extra time to get where you need to go.
• Supplies, gas and cash may be limited due to high demand which may mean the things you want are not available during the congested period. If there is something important you want, get it early.
• Schedule important activities before April 5.
• With the increased number of visitors, cellular service may be overwhelmed. Develop a communication plan with family and friends if you lose service. If you have only a mobile phone at home, find out which neighbors have a land-line number in case you need to call 911 for an emergency.
• The only safe way to look directly at the non-eclipsed or partially eclipsed sun is through special-purpose solar filters, such as "eclipse glasses" or hand-held viewers that meet the ISO 12312-2 international standard.
• The amount of traffic in Mercer County will depend on cloud cover on the afternoon of April 8, but it's expected that there will be heavy traffic volume for two or more hours after the eclipse.
