A large number of visitors are anticipated for the full solar eclipse across much of the area early Monday afternoon.
Salem is one of three hubs set up by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Homeland Security to monitor the situation. Deputy Director Clayton Kuetemeyer says a number of state agencies are represented at their post set up in the IEMA warehouse building in the Westside industrial park.
“The state has recognized we are going to have tens of thousands of visitors in southern Illinois, and with all those visitors there is a potential to stress the basic infrastructure systems throughout the area such as transportation routes, cell networks, emergency services capability, things like that. So while there is no specific disaster that has been identified, in the emergency management area we plan for the “what ifs” and make sure people are ready.”
The state officials have been meeting the last several days with local police and emergency management officials to complete last minute plan. Among those at the emergency center is Nicole Albano of the National Weather Service who is keeping an eye on the weather.
“Stepped outside not to long ago and looking up we have those high clouds starting to stream in. Looking off to our southwest where they are originating from. We do have a little more spreading in the area. We are still looking at 30-60% sky cover today. Looking outside I was able to see the sun out there and I think the conditions right now are what we will see at eclipse time.”
But Albano is optimistic about the eclipse being very visible even if it is through those thin upper level clouds. Much of this cloud cover should stay in the upper level of the atmosphere and they are typically a little bit thinner in nature and usually we can see through them. Right now we have a 30-50% chance of sky cover so we are fingers crossed that the obstruction won’t be too thick where we won’t be able to see the eclipse.”
Salem and Centralia Police along with the Marion County Sheriff’s Department all say they will have additional manpower on duty Monday. Marion County Sheriff Kevin Cripps says the campgrounds at Forbes State Park are as full as he has ever seen them. As a tornado warning was issued for northern Marion and southern Fayette County early Sunday night most of the campers were moved into the shower building for safety. Cripps says fortunately there was no damage and no injuries.
Many state officials were in place Sunday afternoon as they prepared in the event of any issues as large crowds moved in for eclipse day. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
