Know safety info and what to do in case of an emergency during the solar eclipse.
This item is available in full to subscribers.
To continue reading, you will need to either log in to your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.
If you are a current print subscriber, you can set up a free website account and connect your subscription to it by clicking here.
If you are a digital subscriber with an active, online-only subscription then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you've not yet logged in to your account on this new site.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
Please log in to continue |
The Great American Eclipse
AFTON, Wyoming — The Great American Eclipse, taking place on August 21, 2017, is fast approaching. This event is expected to bring tens of thousands of additional people through Lincoln County as they travel toward the path of totality. Some areas are already experiencing some additional traffic as eclipse-goers begin to pre-position themselves for the event.
The town of Alpine lies just within the Southern boundary of the path of totality, bringing anywhere from a few seconds at the South end of town, to approximately 30-45 seconds of darkness near the Port of Entry.
Due to the anticipated large numbers of people camping, especially along the Northernmost portions of Greys River, there is likely to be traffic congestion on Greys River Road, and also at local area campsites.
Campers are advised to take ample provisions for their stay, and to keep camp sites clean. Fire danger throughout the region remains high. There may be restrictions in some areas, so be sure to check local County and US Forest Service regulations before starting camp fires. Take all necessary precautions to prevent the possibility of wildfires.
Eye protection should be worn at ALL times except during TOTALITY. Even at 99% occlusion, the sun’s rays can cause permanent damage your eyes if you look directly at it, even through sunglasses. Only during totality, when the sun’s rays are completely blocked, is it safe to remove eye protection. This will only occur within the path of totality.
All eye protection should meet ISO 12312-2:2015 requirements to be considered safe for direct viewing of the sun. Many “eclipse glasses” do not meet this specification, so be careful when shopping around. Eclipse glasses are available at various locations, including some public libraries, optometrists, hospitals, etc. Watching the partial eclipse without proper eye protection can lead to a painful condition called “solar retinopathy”, where the retina becomes damaged, leading to permanent vision loss.
Local highways and secondary roads will see a large volume of traffic. Leave yourself plenty of travel time to get where you are going. Do not expect to be able to travel freely over great distances in the area in normal timeframes. Keep emergency supplies with you as you travel, and obtain supplies early. There may be shortages of supplies and fuel in days leading up to, the day of, and a few days after the eclipse. Lincoln County Emergency Management will make every possible effort to keep local radio and social media updated with the latest traffic and hazards information through the end of the eclipse event.
Residents are encouraged to stay informed by monitoring local broadcast and print media,social media (https://www.facebook.com/LincolnCountyOHS/). Lincoln County Emergency Management will make every effort to supply updates as situations change throughout the area.
In emergency situations, notification is critical. Lincoln County currently has mass-call capability through a system called CodeRED, which allows us to notify people of urgent or emergent situations via phone, text, email, and through CodeRED app alerts. If you have a landline, your numbers are automatically added to the system once a year. If you need alerts on a cell phone, or other devices, go to our website (www.lcwy.org) and click on the “CodeRED” button to enter your cell phone or email information.
Another great source for emergency alerts is NOAA Weather Radio Public Alerts. If you have a weather radio with the Public Alert function, it can lie dormant until an alert is issued, at which time it will set off a tone and provide a warning message. This system is utilized not only for weather alerts, but also for other emergencies like Amber Alerts, Boil water orders, etc. For any questions, contact Lincoln County Emergency Management.
