ARKANSAS, USA — In a report sent out by the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) and Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, doctors across the state are asked to be aware of issues stemming from the massive influx of travelers coming to the Natural State to witness the Great American Solar Eclipse.
On April 8, 2024, the eclipse will leave most of America shadowed, but the path of totality, or complete darkness, will pass right over the heart of Arkansas, leading to what officials are predicting could be the "largest tourist event in Arkansas history."
The report said the eclipse is expected to draw around "1.5 million individuals" with "numerous multi-day eclipse festivals" scheduled across Arkansas.
With the tourism boom in mind, ADH expects delays in everything from emergency response time to hospital and clinic efficiency, but the delays might not stop there. "Delays may impact normal daily activities for people [like] ... work shifts, childcare needs, or supply chain deliveries" of food, field, and medical supplies.
"Anticipation surrounds the potential strain on cellphone networks," ADH notes. "There is [also] a possibility of an increase in foodborne illnesses due to the potential presence of uninspected and unlicensed food vendors."
ADH Concerns and Recommendations for Viewing the Solar Eclipse:
- Looking directly at the sun during a solar eclipse can damage the eye and lead to an immediate and permanent condition known as "Eclipse Retinopathy"
- The safest way to view the eclipse is with certified eclipse glasses, a pinhole, or a mirror.
- Do not look directly at the sun, if you do, go directly indoors into a dark room and rest your eyes before scheduling an appointment with an eye doctor.
The Director of the Logan County Office of Emergency Management, Tobi Miller, said the county will have six units running. "It's gonna be all hands on deck."
"All of our law enforcement will be out Patrolling, we're gonna spread all of our resources across the county," Miller said, who expects the biggest problem will come from gridlock.
Watch 5NEWS on YouTube.
Download the 5NEWS app on your smartphone:
Stream 5NEWS 24/7 on the 5+ app: How to watch the 5+ app on your streaming device
To report a typo or grammatical error, please email KFSMDigitalTeam@tegna.com and detail which story you're referring to.