CAPCOG hosted the 2024 Solar Eclipse Planning Summit in mid-October to focus local eclipse planning efforts on public safety and emergency preparedness. The summit brought together emergency management, public safety, public health, and private sector officials from across the region to discuss topics centered on coordinating traffic control, emergency response, emergency communications and public information efforts. Paul Yura, with the National Weather Service’s San Antonio Office, started the summit by discussing cloud cover forecasting and its potential impact on traffic control if visitors are relocating for a better view.
“Local jurisdictions have been planning for this event for months; we wanted to facilitate a regional discussion around the safety and emergency preparedness aspects of the event,” said Martin Ritchey, CAPCOG Homeland Security director. “Even if a jurisdiction is not in the path of totality, its roads and highways, emergency services, and public works will be impacted by eclipse visitors. You can expect more traffic, crowded stores and restaurants, increased pedestrian traffic, and increased 9-1-1 calls.”
CAPCOG will continue to organize topic-specific virtual eclipse planning meetings during the next few months before conducting a final strategy and resource meeting in February. To be included in the planning meetings, contact Olivia Hemby, CAPCOG Homeland Security planner.
The April 8, 2024, total solar eclipse will traverse a cross Texas from Eagle Pass to Texarkana with its totality viewing area encompassing Blanco, Burnet, Hays, Travis, and Williamson counties. More than 12 million Texas residents live in the path and between 180,000 to 720,000 eclipse viewers are estimated to visit the state.
