MOUNT PLEASANT, SC (August 15, 2017) - On August 21, the nation will experience a total solar eclipse that is expected to draw a large crowd to the Charleston area. The Town of Mount Pleasant wants everyone to be prepared for this once in a generation event. Follow these tips on eclipse day.
Residents
• Town Hall will close at 11:00 a.m. on August 21, 2017.
• Garbage and trash pickup for this week will be Tuesday through Friday. Your pick up on Monday will be Tuesday, on Tuesday it will be Wednesday, Wednesday will be Thursday and Thursday pick up will be on Friday
Traffic or Transportation
• The pedestrian walkway on the Ravenel Bridge will be closed from noon until 4:00 p.m. and will not be accessible as a viewing site.
• Expect heavy traffic beginning the weekend before the eclipse.
• All roadways will be open.
• Please do not stop your vehicle on any roadway or bridge during the eclipse to get a better vantage point
• Vehicles stopped on the roadway will be towed.
Reminders
• Cellular communication towers may become overloaded. There may be interruptions in service so have a plan to communicate with family and friends beforehand.
• Have your cars filled with gas and have groceries stocked before the weekend. The influx of visitors may put a strain on supplies.
Mount Pleasant Viewing Areas
• Patriots Point
• Palmetto Island County Park
• Center Street Ball Field
• Sloan Park
• Park West Recreation Center
Health and Safety
An eclipse is a rare and striking phenomenon you won't want to miss, but you must carefully follow safety procedures. You can experience the eclipse safely, but it is vital that you protect your eyes always with the proper solar filters.
• No matter what recommended technique you use, do not stare continuously at the sun.
• Take breaks and give your eyes a rest!
• Do not use sunglasses: they don't offer your eyes sufficient protection.
• Do not look directly into the sun without appropriate eye protection except during the time of ‘totality’. Even at 90-95% coverage, eyes can be severely damaged if not properly protected.
• Do not look at the sun through binoculars or a telescope, except during totality, because they concentrate the rays and make looking at the sun more dangerous.
• Only use such instruments to look directly at the sun if you have a reliable solar filter specifically designed to fit them and know how to use it!
Sun and Heat
• Never leave anyone, including pets, alone in a closed car.
• Apply sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher 30 minutes before going outside
• Increase fluid intake - drink more liquid than thirst indicates; avoid alcohol and caffeine.
• Be aware of heat exhaustion. Symptoms include heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea, clammy skin, pale or flushed complexion, and fast and shallow breathing. If symptoms are present, be sure to move the person to a cooler place, remove or loosen tight clothing, apply cool/wet cloths, and give cool water to slowly drink.
• Be aware of heat stroke. Symptoms include hot, dry or wet skin, hallucinations, chills, throbbing headache, high body temperature, confusion/dizziness, and slurred speech. If symptoms are present, call 911; quickly cool the person in a cool bath or wrap wet sheets around them. If the victim refuses water, is vomiting, or shows a decreased level of consciousness do not give anything to eat or drink.
For more information about the eclipse, visit us at www.tompsc.com.