If you’re planning on visiting the Niagara Region to watch the solar eclipse next Monday, it’s a good idea to be prepared.
It’s a once-in-a-lifetime event, and some expect nearly a million people to head to the border city in anticipation of the celestial spectacle.
The city is taking all the steps to prepare for the day, and if you’re planning on visiting, you should too — according to two regional officers.
Road closures, long lines, and heavy congestion are almost guaranteed, but there are a few things you can do to ahead of time to prepare accordingly.
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The first and most important thing is to make sure your car is full of gas, Const. Phil Gavin tells CHCH News. “If there’s that many cars here and you need gas, that could be a problem.”
“There’s going to be significant congestion. You could be stuck in your car for a few hours,” he added.
He says if you’re travelling with young children or pets, you should consider bringing extra supplies for them too, such as food, water or even medication.
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Another thing he suggests doing ahead of time is planning your route.
Finding different ways in-and-out of the city and region isn’t something you want to wait todo until the last minute, Gavin says.
Traffic, road closures and a short supply of parking will make driving through the region difficult.
One alternative you may want to consider is taking GO Transit. On the day of the eclipse, the train service will be adding extra cars to help transport people to and from the region.
Either way, it is not the day to be unsure of where you’re going, so make sure you keep your phone charged to keep up with the latest traffic information.
Local authorities will be pushing out the most up-to-date traffic information on social media and local radio, so keeping your phone charged is a sure way to stay in the loop on what’s going on.
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And perhaps his most important tip for the day — don’t forget your glasses.
Wearing protective glasses during the total solar eclipse is crucial because looking directly at the sun, even when it’s partially covered by the moon, can cause severe eye damage or even blindness.
The intense solar radiation during an eclipse can harm the retina, which lacks pain receptors, so you won’t feel the damage until it’s too late.
Protective glasses with solar filters block harmful UV and infrared radiation, allowing you to safely observe the eclipse without risking your vision.