BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – The countdown is on to the total solar eclipse that will darken Vermont skies this spring and Vermont officials are advising locals and visitors alike to have a plan in place.
On April 8, the moon will pass between the Sun and the Earth, blocking light from reaching us. Vermont hasn’t seen a total eclipse since 1932 and won’t again until 2079 when one passes over the southern tip of the state. Because of how rare these events are, the northern part of the state could be flooded with tens of thousands of people.
Vermont officials estimate upwards of 150,000 people could come here to see the rare sight. And state agencies are already meeting regularly to help visitors and towns solidify their plans.
“What we’re trying to do is educate potential visitors about Vermont in April 2:16 it could be snowy, it could be sunny, it could be rainy, it could be all of the above 2:20 so just ensuring they’re prepared for whatever may happen,” said Eric Forand, the director of Vermont Emergency Management.
Vermonters and visitors should also have a plan for how they’re going to see the eclipse and how they’ll navigate the additional traffic.
WCAX will broadcast an hour-long special report on April 8 from 3:00 to 4:00 with live coverage of the once-in-a-lifetime event.