Local officials, law enforcement say plans are in place for eclipse
Mar. 20—There is a common message from Niagara Falls, Niagara County and state officials planning the logistics of the April 8 solar eclipse: Take your time getting home once it's over.
Estimates have predicted anywhere from hundreds of thousands to possibly 1 million visitors coming to the region to view the rare phenomenon. To that end, city officials, law enforcement entities, New York State Parks, Destination Niagara USA, and other partners say they have long been preparing for how to handle the anticipated influx.
"Patience is going to be the word of the day," said Niagara Falls Mayor Robert Restaino. "Patience in the parking lot, patience in the street, patience with the people who may be standing by. It's going to be crowded."
At Niagara Falls State Park, the parking lots at Goat Island and Prospect Point will open at 6 a.m. that day, with Goat Island closed to vehicular traffic once it fills up. The Maid of the Mist and Cave of the Winds attractions will be operating; the Cave will have timed ticketing. The city's parking lots will welcome attendees at any time.
Area hotels are completely booked for Sunday and Monday evening. Destination Niagara Chief Operating Officer Andrea Czopp says this indicates people are planning on staying past the period of totality. Their hotel partners were 85% to 90% occupied for the Friday and Saturday before the eclipse as of last week. Local Airbnbs and state campgrounds are filled up as well.
Restaino added that he had been asking businesses in the Cataract City to provide entertainment that helps give guests reasons to stay longer.
State Park Police Captain Chris Rola said his agency is bringing in officers from across the state, some of them staying in hotels an hour away as they were the closest ones they could find. The swift water rescue team will be working, jet boats will be stationed at the brink of the falls, and they will work with the city fire department to make sure there are enough rescuers in the gorge.
"We're very familiar with policing these mass crowds throughout the year at concerts, Niagara Falls, and so on," Rola said.
State Police Trooper James O'Callaghan said an additional 100 state troopers would come to supplement the local force, responding to 911, EMS, and fire calls. Some troopers will also be stationed on the thruway and interstate highways, and any construction will be halted that day.
Niagara Falls Police Superintendent Nick Ligammari said the extra help being provided by various law enforcement agencies will arrive early that morning and stay as long as they are needed. He anticipated the downtown area will be the busiest since the parking lots will fill up, and said closing off streets is not out of the question.
"We're hoping that at the end of totality, everyone doesn't just take off at once," Ligammari said.
New York State Department of Transportation spokesperson Susan Surdej said that pre-event messaging signs will start appearing on March 27. Traffic and detour plans have been developed with contingencies for any given traffic scenario.
"As everyone has reiterated, come early and state late," Surdej said, "and that will greatly help us manage the traffic flow."
The eclipse will last from 2:07 p.m. to 4:33 p.m., with totality occurring at 3:18 p.m. and lasting for 3 minutes and 22 seconds.
