Port Hope emergency plan in place for solar eclipse
For Port Hope, next week’s total solar eclipse is expected to last just 55 seconds, but the municipality is taking steps with an emergency plan to deal with an influx of visitors expected to show up for the event.
In a report going to Port Hope’s council committee of the whole on Tuesday, it warns there may be up to a 50 per cent population influx to areas in the path of totality.
Northumberland County is in the path of totality stretching west to east from Port Hope to Brighton and north to County Road 27 and Highway 30. Areas just outside of the path will still experience a partial eclipse.
The eclipse will occur on Monday, beginning at approximately 2:06 p.m. and ending at approximately 4:33 p.m., with totality in the county occurring between 3:20 and 3:22 p.m.
Specifically for Northumberland, the totality duration is 55 seconds in Port Hope, 82 seconds in Cobourg, and a full two minutes in Brighton.
The report notes that the total solar eclipse coincides with the solar maximum of the current solar cycle, and increased activity of prominences can impact cellular communications, the electrical grid and GPS systems.
Among the hazards and risks to public safety for Port Hope, the report notes the expected influx in visitors and the potential for large gatherings, additional strain on first responders and local hospitals, and road and highway congestion.
Municipalities within Northumberland County have authorized the county’s participation in the planning and response activities necessary during an emergency.
The Emergency Management Civil Protection Act makes provision for a council to authorize entering into an agreement with any other municipality or with any person for the provision of any personnel, service, equipment, or materials during an emergency.
The Town Park Recreation Centre has also been identified as an emergency evacuation and reception centre through an agreement with Northumberland County and is available if required.
Emergency services have also been involved in the planning for this event, and a plan has been put in place to ensure that emergency personnel will be in a position to provide efficient and effective response in the event of an emergency situation.
On a more positive note, the report notes that tourism and local businesses may stand to benefit from this event with an expected increase in population. This also may result in further resource demands such as food, gas, and water.
A report warns there may be up to a 50 per cent population influx to areas in the path of totality.