South central Indiana is in the path of totality expecting to draw thousands of people. Cities and towns are eager to cash in, offering festivals, concerts, and other events.
Officials say more than 300,000 visitors could flock to Bloomington. But, an event like this is rare and challenging.
Bloomington Mayor Kerry Thomson said it’s not like a typical football, or graduation weekend.
“Our police force will be all hands-on deck starting April 6 through the eclipse with 50-plus officers working. Our fire department will also add 12 additional personnel for those days,” she said.
Thomson said city facilities, including City Hall, will be closed while employees work remotely.
Read more: Top floors of Bloomington parking garages off limits on eclipse day
Listen to more: Ask The Mayor - Indiana Public Media
Nashville Town Manager Sandie Jones said officials are expecting tourists like a busy fall weekend — but doubled.
“The hotels, AirBNBs are all booked, the state parks are booked. So, we’re excited to show off our town, but it’s a lot all at once,” Jones said.
She said tourist estimates range from 60,000 up to 250,000 countywide, so emergency management, police, fire — even businesses and residents are meeting on how to organize accommodations.
"The town did purchase or rented some extra porta potties for that week-long event. Trash is going to be another big issue. So we've got extra trash facilities coming in.”
Homeland Security officials said Columbus could handle twice its population. Mayor Mary Ferdon said they’re planning for anywhere between 5,000 and 100,000 people.
“You pull out the disaster and the emergency plans that you have, and we made the decision I think late last year that we were not allowing any city employees to take off that day,” Ferdon said.
She says businesses and hotels are being encouraged to prepare for large crowds, while the city will focus on safety and logistics.
“I think it's August, we put in an order for 200 porta potties. And they're coming from the northern part of the state that isn't being affected by the eclipse,” Ferdon said.
Read more: As lodging fills up for the eclipse, tourists book some less-conventional options
Terre Haute is not in the direct path of totality but will still experience most of the eclipse.
“We're banking on 30,000 to 50,000 visitors," Mayor Brandon Sakbun said. "That being said, it changes... I mean, if it's cloudy in Vincennes and Bloomington even, we expect to see some more traffic here. So we're staying flexible.”
He says they’ve studied law enforcement and government after-action reviews from other eclipses in Kentucky to guide their local plan.
Read more: Visiting Eclipseville, seven years later
Traffic, cell phone and communications are also concerns.
Sgt. Kevin Getz with the Indiana State Police said it's hard to prepare for a once in a lifetime event.
“We don't have a game plan already prepared for this. So we've had to really work with our partners and come up with our plan. So that we assure everyone to have a safe and really wonderful experience," Getz said.
Vice President of Public Safety at Indiana University Benjamin Hunter says they'll have multiple networks to operate from.
“We have a secondary network for radio communications. And we've deployed people throughout our campuses and along the bypass anticipating that there could be communication issues,” Hunter said.
Officials advise to fill gas tanks ahead of time, stock medications, and not count on mail delivery so you can enjoy the celestial phenomenon.
