The Federal Aviation Administration warned that delays to air traffic are likely on April 8, when a solar eclipse crosses North America from Mexico to Canada, plunging narrow roads into complete darkness during the day.
On the roads, federal officials are asking for the public's help in avoiding traffic jams across multiple states.
“An estimated 32 million people live in the total zone, and millions more will travel to see this event firsthand,” Federal Highway Administration Administrator Shailene Butt said in a video message. . “While this rare event may be a once-in-a-lifetime event for some, it can have far-reaching implications for the traveling public. So plan ahead to arrive early. Please stand up and remain where you are if possible to avoid traffic congestion.”
Around the time of the last total solar eclipse to reach the United States in 2017, motorists jammed roads along roads in several states immediately after the show. AAA, citing INRIX, a traffic data analysis company, said some local routes were backed up for more than 15 hours and had backup sections of up to 110 miles.
Kathleen Bangs, a spokeswoman for flight tracking service FlightAware, said she drove to a field in Nebraska for the final solar eclipse.
“Oh my god, there’s traffic,” she said. “I thought it would take me five hours to get home after the eclipse. It took me about 11 hours.”
Some cities have been planning for an influx of tourists for more than a year in advance of the upcoming eclipse. Some local governments in Texas declared states of emergency in advance. In Bell County, an area north of Austin bisected by Interstate 35, officials said the local population of 400,000 would “double, if not triple,” in the days leading up to the eclipse. ” and said it expected there would be “extreme traffic.” This creates traffic jams and puts a strain on local resources, endangering the safety of local residents.
Landlords hosting events with more than 50 people must register with Bell County, and officials are encouraging locals to stock up on gas and groceries well in advance of the eclipse.
Oklahoma is warning residents that emergency response times may be longer, cell phone coverage may be disrupted and roads may be congested.
AAA recommends bringing camping chairs to your eclipse viewing spot and hanging out “like after a concert” until the initial wave of departures is over.
“Please fill up your tank of fuel just before the eclipse in case you get stuck in traffic,” the organization said. “Have an emergency kit with extra water, snacks, a first aid kit, and a cell phone charger.”
Air traffic operations increased by 23 to 36 percent around some major centers during the last solar eclipse, according to a 2017 report from the National Air Traffic Controllers Association.
Some airlines added flights designed to follow the path of totality, while others focused on existing routes that are expected to put the eclipse in perspective. Bangs, a former airline pilot, said the expected surge in air traffic is related to smaller, privately owned or rented aircraft.
“Many of those people will be flying on that day to see the eclipse,” she says.
The FAA is asking airlines and pilots to plan ahead, register preferred routes and monitor notices and temporary flight restrictions to reduce delays. The agency said in the notice that planes should be prepared for possible rerouting or entering a holding pattern. Some activities such as practice approaches, touch-and-gos, and pilot training operations may not be permitted.
The FAA warned that it's not just planes that could be affected.
“Airports along the path of the solar eclipse may expect greater traffic than would normally be expected,” the agency said in a notice. Approximately 450 airports of various sizes and uses may be located near this route. “Parking may be limited, especially at smaller, unmanaged airports.”
