Rotary Minute
Invited by newly installed Rotary president, Dr. Buck Gilcrease, San Saba City Manager Scott Edmonson elaborated on the ramifications of the pending Total Solar Eclipse set to impact Central Texas and especially Lampasas and San Saba next spring on April 8th, 2024!
Additional guests at the program were: David Jenkins, Sheriff; John Bauer, Chief of Police; Marsha Hardy, Emergency Management Coordinator; Wyatt Deans, Region 6 Texas Emergency Management; and Regina Baker, Executive Director, San Saba Chamber of Commerce.
City Manager Edmonson and Dora Miller shared information from Beaverton, Wyoming, and Madras, Oregon, where a similar eclipse occurred in 2017. The Wyoming eclipse saw as many as 30,000 people from around the world overwhelm the small rural community and roads, and highways saw drivers attempting to drive as little as 30 miles while taking as long as eight hours to accomplish the drive. County roads and out of the way routes all remained clogged. Emergency Services and first responders had difficulty providing help as roads and direct access was limited.
City Manager Edmonson encouraged the rotary membership and the multiple guests present to research the event and to prepare for the large numbers which will impact all areas. “Plan Ahead” is the plea to the community!
City Manager Edmonson and Dr. Gilcrease reminded those in attendance that governmental organizations like the City, the school district, and groups like the State and the Department of Public Safety all have some protection from lawsuits but that home and ranch owners have limited protection and liability from people pulling onto their property, having accidents, damaging fences, allowing cattle to escape and wildlife to suffer. These were all among issues that were experienced in Wyoming.
Currently, all available local lodging accommodations in San Saba for the date are filled. Bend State Park is building additional campsites, but the visiting numbers are expected to far exceed available RV and other sites. The behaviors of visitors at eclipses in the past have included pulling onto private property without permission and “boondocking” or dry camping on highways and roads and on private properties, overwhelming resources, leaving masses of trash, litter, alcohol and beer bottles, damaging private properties, and fences! The owner is left liable!
Schools in San Saba will be closed on April 8th, but residents are forewarned in advance to plan ahead. Necessary medications should be purchased and stockpiled for the date. Local residents must ensure they have adequate fuel and food. Visitors coming into the area will be arriving early before the weekend and the Monday eclipse, and water and groceries may become in short supply.
Issues like where to incarcerate law breakers are being discussed. Highways currently being worked on by TxDOT may contribute to the chaos, and there is concern that radio and cellphone communication may be jeopardized.
City Manager Edmonson and School Superintendent Gilcrease encouraged local residents to plan ahead and to “stay home!” To research issues go to: https://www.greatamericaneclipse.com.