Arkansas Prepares for Solar Eclipse and 1.5 Million People

In less than a month the much-anticipated Great American Solar Eclipse will darken skies over much of Arkansas on April 8, 2024.

Total Solar Eclipse

The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) estimates that 1.5 million people will travel to Arkansas to watch this once-in-a-lifetime celestial event  ARDOT has been planning for months on how to deal with a massive influx of people coming to the state.

The Arkansas Department of Emergency Management has joined other agencies to develop a plan for a smooth eclipse event.

Having that many people in the state for that day can strain the state's infrastructure, leading to water problems. Central Arkansas Water which serves most of Central Arkansas has been working countless hours to ensure that doesn't happen. The Little Rock Metro area is one of the most popular regions that people will be flocking to see this event.

Many cities in the path of totality have plans in place with local and state police, first responders, and fire departments working together to help keep everyone safe as possible during this event. With the event happening on Monday or the weekend before the event, many towns and cities are holding solar events that will more than likely bring in more people before Monday. Hotels, restaurants, and, state parks will have to be ready for the massive amount of people that will call Arkansas home for a few days. A countdown clock has already started on the Arkansas State Parks website.

Many Arkansas schools located in the eclipse path will be closed as well, here is the list.

Twin City Eclipse

Texarkana will also be a popular place to watch the solar eclipse I mean how many people can say they watched the eclipse while standing with one foot in Arkansas and the other in Texas? The city of Texarkana Texas and Arkansas is bracing for a fun event SolarBration 2024 on the town's state line. There will be live music and other activities planned for April 8, downtown. I have everything you need to know right here.