Eclipse Safety Tips

The highly anticipated Total Solar Eclipse of 2024 will occur on April 8, 2024. First visible in New York in Chautauqua County at 3:16 p.m., the eclipse will take a northeastern route and cover 29 counties in a 124-mile path of totality (iloveny.com) (PDF) that will be over 100 miles wide.

Cities set to experience complete darkness include Jamestown, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Watertown, Lake Placid, and Plattsburgh. Areas of New York outside the path of totality will still have a significant celestial spectacle. The sun in Utica will be 99% shadowed, Albany 96%, White Plains 92%, New York City 89%, and Brookhaven 88%.

April 8th will mark the first total eclipse in New York since 1924. The next one with a similar path won't happen for another 400 years--so it is truly a once-in-a-lifetime event. Because of this, the eclipse is generating a lot of excitement: an estimated 350,000 to 800,000 people will visit in or near the path of totality.

Challenges for such an event include public health and safety, traffic management, and communications capabilities. Department of Health staff have been participating in an interagency task force, comprised of nearly two dozen state agencies and authorities, collaborating on plans to ensure a safe and memorable viewing experience for New York State's residents and visitors.

Based on lessons learned from previous solar eclipses, the surge in population may result in increased emergency department visits, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) delays, limitations in access to medical care, supply delays, and staffing concerns—primarily due to severe traffic conditions. Although plans are in place to minimize the impacts these things may cause, it is important to be mindful of your own health and safety.

Take precautions to prevent damaging your eyes (aas.org) by wearing an appropriate solar filter, like eclipse glasses, or use a handheld solar viewer. Do not look directly into the sun during the eclipse (except during the limited time of totality when the sun is completely covered by the moon—and even then, with caution).

Other tips for safe eclipse viewing (iloveny.com) include: being aware of traffic volume and allowing for extra travel time; being prepared for varying weather conditions as April in New York can bring sun, storms, or both; and if you will be outside, taking precautions against mosquitoes and ticks.

Viewing the eclipse safely will help to make it an exciting and memorable event. More information, including activities that will be happening throughout the state, can be found on the I LOVE NY eclipse website.

I LOVE NY Eclipse Playlist - playlist by I LOVE NY | Spotify

Eclipse Safety Tips (iloveny.com)

Safety Tips for the Solar Eclipse

  • Use certified eclipse glasses from a trusted source
  • Due to expected heavy traffic and crowds, monitor traffic updates and follow directions
  • View in designated public areas
  • Check weather forcasts
  • Wear sunscreen
  • More Eclipse Safety Tips (iloveny.com)

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