Fishers prepares for the solar eclipse, Monday, April 8

LarryInFishers.com

Being in the “path of totality” for a solar eclipse is a rare thing.  Fishers will experience such an event April 8.  I had the opportunity to talk about that with Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness, Police Chief Ed Gebhart and Fire Chief Steve Orusa several days ago (listen at this link).

Monday afternoon, the City of Fishers issued a detailed news release on what to expect April 8.

Here is part of the news release:

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On Monday, April 8, from approximately 2 to 4:30 p.m., Hamilton County and Fishers will experience the Total Solar Eclipse. Totality in Fishers will begin at 3:06 p.m. and last three minutes and thirty seconds, the longest length of totality in Hamilton County. 
Central Indiana anticipates upward of 500,000 visitors to view the Total Solar Eclipse. 
Traffic & Road Closures 
  • Locations that experienced a total solar eclipse in the past saw heavy, often standstill, traffic. With the anticipated additional traffic, motorists should travel with emergency preparedness in mind. This includes ensuring gas tanks are full, planning for extra time to your destination, and packing water and snacks in anticipation of long delays. 
  • Allisonville Road is closed for construction north and southbound at 146th Street. 146th Street will remain open east and westbound.  
  • There is no cross traffic at 141st Street and State Road 37.  
  • Fishers Engineering and Public Works Departments will suspend all road construction work on the day of the eclipse. 
  • Cumberland Road will experience limited, local access only on April 8 to keep a clear thoroughfare for public safety. East-west roadways at Cumberland Road will have soft closures and allow local access only. 
  • Motorists are encouraged to use the Waze app and follow @FishersIN for traffic and travel updates.
Public Safety & Emergency Response 
  • Fishers Fire and Emergency Services and Fishers Police Department will be stationed throughout the city in various locations to alleviate travel distances for emergency responses in the event of heavy traffic.  
  • In the event of a community emergency, all communications will be published from the City of Fishers social media accounts. 
  • Register for Hamiton County’s emergency notification system, Smart911, to be notified of any major public safety emergencies. Register at smart911.com.
Be Prepared 
  • With the anticipated increase of video streaming, social media usage, and calls in a relatively small, concentrated area, those in the path of totality should anticipate loss in communications or poor service.  
  • Fishers Parks will have a modified schedule open to pedestrian traffic only. Beginning at dusk on April 7 through dusk on April 8, vehicular traffic will be restricted to encourage residents to visit neighborhoods or local parks via pedestrian access instead of adding vehicles to the roadways. Geist Waterfront Park will be closed to vehicular and pedestrian access.  
  • Fishers City Services Building will be closed to in-person business. Assistance will be available via phone at 317-595-3111. The Fishers Health Department Clinic will be closed and not accepting appointments or walk-ins. 
  • Visit VisitHamiltonCounty.com for a list of eclipse events happening around Hamilton County. 
Safety Information 
  • When watching an eclipse, you must always wear safe solar viewing glasses (eclipse glasses). Visit visithamiltoncounty.com for a list of local businesses selling eclipse glasses. 
  • It is never safe to look directly at the sun, even if the sun is partly obscured. 
  • Do not view the eclipse through regular sunglasses.  
  • Viewing any part of the sun through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter will instantly cause severe eye injury.
Hamilton County has not experienced a total eclipse in more than 800 years. Unlike in 2017, Hamilton County will experience totality – meaning it will be night in the middle of the day.