RAY BROOK, N.Y. (WCAX) – With ten days to go until April 8th’s total solar eclipse, local law enforcement in the Adirondacks is preparing for a big bump in visitors, creating potential gridlock on local roads and exacerbating already poor cell service.
“There is a lot of planning going into it and we are just hoping that everything goes well,” said Saranac Lake Police Chief Darin Perrotte.
Planning that includes coordination with the New York State Police’s Troop B, which covers the Adirondacks. “It could be tens of thousands of people, we have no idea,” said Troop B Commander Major Brent Davison. He says they will double the number of troopers on duty. “They are going to be assigned to strike teams and they are going to be strategically placed.”
Davison says that includes air, land, and water support. Troopers will be carrying meal kits and water for people that may be stranded or stuck in traffic for hours following the celestial event. He says gridlock that could paralyze I-87 is on of their greatest concerns. “If anything happens on any of those roads, it could back up things for hours,” he said.
And in an area with already spotty cell service and no plans to bring in backup mobile towers, that could spell trouble. “We asked for those and they didn’t forsee us to need those in our troop area, so there are other places in New York state, in Western New York, they are concerned with.”
Davison recommends that all visitors fuel up ahead of time and plan to arrive early and leave late. He also says to avoid hiking trails, most of which are closed for mud season.
Click here for all our eclipse coverage to help you get ready for the big day.