BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – It’s finally here– eclipse day! The total solar eclipse is Monday April 8, and we will have special live coverage for you from across our region in the path of totality, starting at 3 p.m. You can watch it in the player above when it begins or click here for a direct link.
WCAX News has crews standing by in Burlington, Montpelier, Plattsburgh, St. Albans, St. Johnsbury and more locations to bring you updates, as thousands of visitors from far and wide crowd into our region to catch a glimpse of the once-in-a-lifetime event.
MAPS AND INFO
You can check out our town-by-town eclipse planner to find out when the path of totality will reach you and much more.
ROAD CLOSURES
As thousands of visitors flock to our region to see the eclipse, there are multiple road closures.
For traffic updates, check Vermont Emergency Management, Google Maps, 511 New England, VT-ALERT or download the Waze app to your phone.
You can also click here for a map of road closures in Burlington.
BEWARE THE BACKCOUNTRY
Rescue crews are asking you to stay out of the Vermont backcountry on eclipse day.
Stowe Mountain Rescue says there will be extremely slick conditions.
With thousands of expected travelers coming to the region to view the eclipse, they say response times if you find yourself stuck or in trouble could be delayed.
WATER SAFETY
Officials are also asking eclipse viewers to stay on dry land while trying to catch a glimpse.
The National Weather Service and U.S. Coast Guard are urging people to stay off waterways because of heightened hypothermia risk.
They recommend viewing from open areas like fields, parking lots or the shores of Vermont’s lakes and ponds.
BURLINGTON ECLIPSE PREPS
The city has closed multiple roads to make the big day run smoothly.
Zach Williamson of Burlington City Arts says there will be dedicated emergency sites at all of the viewing sites. He says services like the fire department and police will have all hands on deck staffing to respond if necessary.
“Everybody who was able is on duty during this day and working on the ground and for instance, all fire engines, they usually have two people will have three people so that they can isolate, perhaps, and take care of an emergency without having to bring in additional resources. Same with police. We’ll have more people stationed in different places in the city, just assuming that we can’t get around as easily,” said Williamson.
After the eclipse finishes, Burlington is encouraging people to not leave the city right away. There will be an event in City Hall Park to encourage people to stay and shop downtown as the sun sets.
NASA SCIENTIST
We spoke with a NASA rocket scientist to learn more about the eclipse.
SHOW US YOUR ECLIPSE PHOTOS
We want to see all your photos of the eclipse, the eclipse events you attended and any news related to the eclipse!
ECLIPSE PICTURE SAFETY
Do you know how to snap the perfect picture of this rare sight?
Tessa Ferrario of Green Mountain Camera in South Burlington offered tips on how to capture Monday’s once-in-a-lifetime event on camera.
EVERYTHING ECLIPSE