Thousands of people are expected to travel to McCurtain County over the next month to catch a glimpse of the total solar eclipse.
The executive director of the Idabel Chamber of Commerce said the region has been preparing for the eclipse for years and is looking forward to the day.
“We'd love to have a giant countdown clock, but we're still looking,” said executive director Jackie Lecrone.
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With thousands of people expected to visit the area, there are many unknowns, but Lecrone said it's an exciting, once-in-a-lifetime experience.
“I hope we stay ahead of the game and plan for the worst and hope for the best. That’s what it is and that’s our motto right now. We are alive,” she said.
She said the plan includes making sure restaurants have enough food so they can stock up, planning a solar eclipse festival so people can do a lot of things the day before and have fun, and That includes everything from making sure the city can handle all the traffic, he said.
“We are working with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, local law enforcement, the Choctaw Nation and all business owners to assemble an emergency management team,” she said.
The Broken Bow Chamber is also preparing by distributing information sheets to local businesses and fact sheets to local schools. LeCrone says this is a community effort and she can't wait for April 8th.
“It's still going to be a lot of fun. I think the residents of McCurtain County are shocked by what we're about to experience,” she said.
Most area schools will be closed on the day of the solar eclipse, so students can participate.
