By: Maddi Phipps
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (UATV) – While the 2024 solar eclipse came and went in just 4 minutes, a group of unsung heroes had been planning for the event for over a year.
A statewide collaboration between various emergency service departments was coordinated ahead of Monday’s eclipse.
Over 100 public services agencies collaborated on a plan to manage high volumes and potential stress on infrastructure across the state.
“The biggest part of what emergency management is is coordinating all the resources that we have in the state,” said Arkansas Division of Emergency Management Director, A.J. Gary.
The biggest concern was managing traffic conditions. Four interstates and 20 U.S. highways run through the state.
The Arkansas Department of Transportation prepared by enacting a variety of rules for roads over the weekend. ARDOT banned lane closures and oversized loads. Additionally, over 1,800 ARDOT employees were deployed across the state, equipped with supplies for stranded drivers should a backup occur.
The next eclipse to pass over Arkansas will come in 2045.