FILE - The period of total coverage during the solar eclipse is seen near Hopkinsville, Ky. Monday, Aug. 21, 2017. The location, which is in the path of totality, is also at the point of greatest intensity. It’s only a year until a total solar eclipse sweeps across North America. On April 8, 2024, the moon will cast its shadow across a stretch of the U.S., Mexico and Canada, plunging millions of people into midday darkness. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)

Chautauqua County is preparing for the possibility of hundreds of thousands of people coming to and through the county next spring.

On April 8, 2024, will be the total eclipse of the sun. County officials note that this event has the potential to overload the hospitality industry and local infrastructure, as it’s a once-in-a-lifetime event. Issues raised include:

¯ Very congested roadways. Roads may become congested or blocked.

¯ Congested parking areas that are utilized for the event.

¯ Health and sanitary concerns with the large gathering of crowds.

¯ Increased criminal events and opportunities.

¯ Increased traffic on Interstates 90 and 86.

¯ A large increase in tourism dollars and hotel revenue.

¯ Issues with illegal sales of ‘eclipse’ protective gear and memorabilia.

¯ After-event traffic.

¯ After-event cleanup.

Noel Guttman, Chautauqua County Emergency Services director, discussed the topic recently with members of the legislature’s Public Safety Committee. He said as a member of the Emergency Managers of Western New York, they have already begun planning for the eclipse.

“This is going to be a monumental and significant event for our county as well as 29 other counties in the state and others in the path of the eclipse across the country,” Guttman said.

Guttman said hotel rooms in Chautauqua County are already booked, so they’re working on creating a safety plan for the week. “There’s a lot of public safety concerns that our public working group is going to address,” he said. “There will be some financial implications that we’ll be discussing as this goes on.”

According to Guttman, the state Office of Emergency Management has guessed that Chautauqua County could see between “50,000 and 1 million people” in and through the county the weekend before and the days of and following the event.

Guttman said the last total eclipse took place in 2017. Afterward, there were many papers and studies issued, which his working group is reviewing in their preparation plans.

“A lot of people describe it as a life-changing event,” he said. “It really does have a lot of potential significance for our county, in a very positive way.”

Guttman said they are in the process of figuring out the best way to promote the event and Chautauqua County, as well as looking out for the safety for everyone involved.

At that meeting, he said schools were in the process of deciding if they would have classes or extend spring break to include April 8, which falls on a Monday. No classes that day is something they recommend.

Elsewhere, in the town of Carroll where the Martz Observatory is located, officials there discussed the topic.

Martz Observatory President Corey Swanson and the other board members of the Martz Observatory were at a recent meeting to bring awareness of the eclipse. According to board minutes, Swanson said the last total eclipse that was able to be viewed from our area was in 1924, and the next one won’t be until 2079.

The eclipse is expected to take place at 3 p.m. that day. The Martz Observatory is not promoting people to come to the observatory as the eclipse will be able to be viewed from anywhere in the area. In fact, they are suggesting that residents stay home that day and area businesses close.

According to Swanson, the last time there was a partial eclipse, there were people parked along both sides of the roadways near the observatory. They are encouraging officials, area businesses and all residents to prepare for this time.

Swanson stated that they will be selling solar glasses before the event and added that people should not purchase glasses from anyone other than a trusted business, as it is detrimental to your sight to look directly at the eclipse.

During a phone call this week with Andrew Nixon, president and chief executive officer for the Chautauqua County Visitor’s Bureau, he said they do expect a large influx of people at that time. Many hotels and cottages have been receiving a number of calls. He isn’t sure they’re full at this time, but he does know there’s been a high interest in coming to the area.

“(April) is a time that is typically very slow, so it could really help give a boost to the tourism business,” he said.

Nixon said they are working with the I Love NY Division of Tourism of the state in the planning and promoting of the event.

The next step, he said, will be to work with businesses and other community leaders to see where people can stage to watch the event.