Logan County prepares for thousands of visitors for the 2024 solar eclipse
Arkansas is gearing up for a historic moment, the 2024 total solar eclipse.
“It's gonna be an event, unlike no other in a long time,” Logan County Sheriff John Massey said. For the first time in more than a century, the path of totality runs right through the Natural State, and Logan County has been looking forward to totality for quite some time.
By: Kayla Davis
5 News
Arkansas is gearing up for a historic moment, the 2024 total solar eclipse.
“It's gonna be an event, unlike no other in a long time,” Logan County Sheriff John Massey said.
For the first time in more than a century, the path of totality runs right through the Natural State, and Logan County has been looking forward to totality for quite some time.
With three minutes and 27 seconds of darkness expected on April 8, officials in Logan expect to see two times more visitors than their 21,000 population for the event.
With the influx of people expected to come to witness the magic, Massey said preparations began a year ago.
The top concern? Not crime but traffic.
“This is a full hands on deck, everybody working, we're going to divide our county up into smaller zones that have extra deputies working and so we can have them in the different communities in case traffic is so bad we can't move,” Massey said.
Logan County EMS will also be stationed across the area.
Whether you’re coming out for the weekend, or just for the day, Massey has some advice.
“Make sure you pack some food and pack some things for a long day because I really anticipate a lot of folks aren't going to make it where they want to go,” he said.
The Arkansas Division for Emergency Management (ADEM) reminds landowners that they are responsible for what happens on their land.
“We're also trying to remind people that are having private events on private property to make sure that they know that they're responsible for their land, and they're responsible for what's going on there,” ADEM says.
The state is not only planning for the influx of tourists but ADEM says they are also planning for what may be left behind once they return home.
“We want to keep ourselves beautiful and pretty, and we want people to clean up after themselves too,” the department says.
In the county seat of Paris, Chamber of Commerce executive director Tonya Fletcher says they have a long weekend full of events lined up for tourists.
That includes a costume contest each day, vendors, concerts, and camping.
“It's kind of like having a mini Super Bowl in your community,” Fletcher says. “We're just excited to welcome people. We hope that there are people from other states and other communities that come and fall in love with Paris.”
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