Big crowds are expected across much of New York state next spring as people come to see the total solar eclipse. On April 8, 2024, much of the region will be in the path of totality — making for prime viewing.
Preparing for a possible influx of tens of thousands of people takes planning.
George Bastedo has dealt with some big events in his role as the Wayne County director of disaster preparedness.
“At this point in my career, the biggest thing I've dealt with is the Lake Ontario flooding,” said Bastedo, referring to major shoreline floods in 2017 and 2019.
Responding takes planning, but there’s been nothing like the big event Bastedo is planning for next April.
“Right now, our eclipse plan is at 63 pages and counting,” he said.”
Wayne County is smack in the middle of the path of totality for next year’s total solar eclipse.
“If you look at the more recent solar eclipses across the United States, they are big things,” said Bastedo.
They've been big things — which historically have drawn big crowds. Some experts estimate the greater Rochester area could get between 350,000 and a half million eclipse viewers.
“So, we had to put a stake in the ground somewhere for planning purposes,” he said. “We decided we planned for 50,000 people coming into Wayne County.”
Historically, traffic gridlock comes with the territory during an eclipse. In places like Sodus Point — a spot likely to draw thousands of people — there’s only one road in and out of the village. It’s also a popular spot for boaters, and a lot of them are expected to watch from out on Lake Ontario.
Bastedo says it will take a coordinated effort from emergency responders to help keep traffic moving, especially if firetrucks or ambulances are responding to calls. Businesses are being asked to plan accordingly for shift changes during eclipse time. Schools across Wayne County have already decided they’ll be closed next April 8.
“This is going to happen,” he said. “It's surely going to happen. And history shows that you're going to have heavy traffic conditions literally on every road in the county for many hours afterwards.”
“Wayne County’s entire population is 91,000, so any influx of tens of thousands of people would have an impact. It is something planners are not only bracing for — but hoping to take advantage of.
Wayne County tourism officials have several eclipse-related events planned. They’re urging businesses to take advantage of the expected big crowds.
“The weekend should be a lot of fun prior to the eclipse,” said Bastedo. “There will be a lot of visitors in from out of town. For our retail businesses, it's really an opportunity to capitalize on things that are going on there.”
Opportunities like this are rare, and it’s important to have a plan.
“It’s up to us to make it as comfortable as possible for our visitors,” said Bastedo.