The total eclipse is coming on August 21st (Part Two) What about emergencies?
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
Eugene, Oregon
May 11, 2017 11:51am CST
As I mentioned in part one of this discussion, Oregon is expecting over a million visitors on the weekend that the total eclipse of the sun occurs. Every room and campground on the Oregon coast is booked. There is no space left in other campgrounds around the state.
Farmers and ranchers in hot, dry and sunny central Oregon are setting up campgrounds at high prices for the hordes of people coming to see the event.
The little town of Spray (pop.160) is on the hook for over 13000 porta-potties to, as a city councilor put it, "keep people from squatting at the side of the road."
In much of that area, heat stroke, snake bite and forest fires are not uncommon and the nearest hospital is 90 minutes or more away. Wheeler County (1715 square miles) has a few deputies, four ambulances and a small medical clinic.
With any luck, the sun won't be to hot, the snakes will flee the scene, and no one will discard a "ciggy" or leave a fire unattended and create a fire problem.
Oregon is preparing as well as possible, but belatedly in some areas.
What could possibly go wrong?
10 people like this
9 responses
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
12 May 17
It is about $13000.00 worth for that little town, with no guarantee of a return on the investment.
3 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
12 May 17
@JudyEv No kidding! It's like those porta potties ordered by Spray, OR and other places too. How many do you need?
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381810)
• Rockingham, Australia
12 May 17
@JamesHxstatic It would be very difficult for any stores in the town trying to gauge how much to buy in in the hope of making sales.
1 person likes this
@blitzfrick (2890)
• United States
11 May 17
I'm glad I live here. This will be my second total solar eclipse to be experienced in Oregon. There will surely have to be a massive cleanup campaign after the unwashed masses leave the state. I'm worried they'll trample the environment underfoot, then decide they want to live here permanently. Tom McCall will be turning in his grave.
1 person likes this
@blitzfrick (2890)
• United States
12 May 17
@JamesHxstatic We need a wall! 
When my second husband and I moved here in '77, I thought we'd be stopped at the state line and told to turn around and go back to wherever we came from. That was the story I'd heard.
When my second husband and I moved here in '77, I thought we'd be stopped at the state line and told to turn around and go back to wherever we came from. That was the story I'd heard.
Producer Eric Cain and editor Lisa Suinn Kallem tracked down a photo of the original “Welcome to Oregon” sign while working on OPB's new Oregon Experience documentary about former Oregon Governor Tom McCall.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
12 May 17
@blitzfrick McCall was a great Governor and I was already here when he said that, so felt smug. Millions came anyway though. Portland has grown so fast I can't believe it.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
12 May 17
I should have mentioned that the impact of all those vistors in rural areas will have a big negative effect on wildlife.
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@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
12 May 17
I am afraid there will be a lot of party people as well. Recall that old Carly Simon song, "You're So Vain," mentions Mick Jagger flying a bunch of friends to Nova Scotia "to see the total eclipse of the sun?"
1 person likes this
@DianneN (254949)
• United States
12 May 17
@JamesHxstatic Yes, I do! One does have to watch out for those party people.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
12 May 17
I heard about that fire problem and hope that our season won't be so bad with all the rain we had this year.
1 person likes this
@RubyHawk (99367)
• Atlanta, Georgia
13 May 17
@JamesHxstatic There probably isn't much rain down there or the fire would be out.
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
12 May 17
It will be an interesting thing to see as the date gets closer and people start arriving.
1 person likes this
@BettyB (4117)
• Summerville, South Carolina
13 May 17
@JamesHxstatic Both my sons have already put in for the day off. Me, I think I'll head out of town that week.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
12 May 17
How likely is that? Law enforcement is scarce in rural areas, as I mentioned. I hope the National Guard does not have to called up.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189792)
• Boise, Idaho
12 May 17
Idiots that don't abide by the rules is what could happen. LOL
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@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
12 May 17
I don't believe in the "meant to" part. It depends on weather, behavior, the size of crowds, presence of snakes and the fire hazard this year.
