How to boost a town's population - have a solar eclipse
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (326098)
Rockingham, Australia
February 13, 2023 8:22pm CST
On April 20, 2023, the population of the small town of Exmouth will swell from 2,800 to 50,000. Exmouth is situated on the tip of Western Australia’s North West Cape and was established in 1967 to support the nearby United States Naval Communication Station. It is 1,270 kilometres (789 mi) north of Perth. There are no nearby towns.
The reason for the population influx is the total solar eclipse which will take place on that date. Exmouth is one of the few accessible places from which to watch the eclipse. All accommodation was booked out some time ago and tourists are now looking for accommodation some 400 kms away.
The local authorities are worried as to how the town will manage so many visitors. Even during peak tourist season, the town’s services such as water and sewerage struggle to cope. Other concerns are the fact that it is bushfire and cyclone season and there is only one road in and out. It’s easy to imagine the chaos if there was a major accident/emergency of some sort.
And the eclipse will last 1 minute 2 seconds. Quite mind-boggling really.
I've put a blue circle round Exmouth. It doesn't even appear on this map. 
20 people like this
20 responses
@DaddyEvil (137142)
• United States
14 Feb 23
Okay, now can you explain how to go about emptying a town of people you don't want to stay? 
I hope nothing bad happens and everyone has a wonderful outing to see the solar eclipse... or not see it, as the case may be.
I hope nothing bad happens and everyone has a wonderful outing to see the solar eclipse... or not see it, as the case may be.2 people like this
But I'd have to live with the stench! 
@RebeccasFarm (86834)
• United States
14 Feb 23
Oh no, the tourists are too many Judy. This is not good at all.
2 people like this
@RebeccasFarm (86834)
• United States
17 Feb 23
@JudyEv Yes it is always they..the authorities
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (95562)
• Marion, Ohio
14 Feb 23
That is a lot of people for an area not used to it
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (95562)
• Marion, Ohio
14 Feb 23
@JudyEv Glad they are helping as that will be added manpower if needed. Hoping everything goes smoothly
2 people like this
@JudyEv (326098)
• Rockingham, Australia
16 Feb 23
@wolfgirl569 We will be in Ireland when it happens but Vince's brother is going with his son-in-law who has some sort of involvement with it.
1 person likes this
@Kouponkaren (5496)
• United States
14 Feb 23
Wow, that will be a huge swell in population. I hope the town can handle it.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (326098)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Feb 23
The government is stepping in to help so hopefully it will turn out okay.
@shaggin (71663)
• United States
14 Feb 23
I have never had an interest like others in viewing an eclipse. I know there’s been twice since I was a kid. Could have been more but I don’t recall. I hope the town will manage well with all the visitors. That can be great for local businesses but the things you said could go wrong is definitely a worry.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130073)
• India
15 Feb 23
I marvel at those who would travel just to have a glimpse that will last a few seconds
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29256)
• Eugene, Oregon
16 Feb 23
What a challenge that will be for that little place. It sounds as if it could get chaotic.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326098)
• Rockingham, Australia
16 Feb 23
I know you can't go there without some sort of pass so that's a good thing for a start. It has attracted international attention for those that are into eclipses, so to speak. 
@LindaOHio (156852)
• United States
14 Feb 23
Very interesting. I can't imagine going to all that trouble for an eclipse. For the glimpse of something like the comet Hale-Bopp, perhaps. It was the most extraordinary thing I've seen in my lifetime.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326098)
• Rockingham, Australia
16 Feb 23
@LindaOHio Haha, I understand the 'relatively speaking'. Very Close as regards the universe isn't really very close at all in ordinary terms.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (156852)
• United States
15 Feb 23
@JudyEv It was the most amazing thing because it was SO LARGE!!!!! It must have been very close! (relatively speaking)
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326098)
• Rockingham, Australia
16 Feb 23
Hopefully they have it all under control. Some people like eclipses, some like following typhoons. Everyone has a different passion. They don't happen very often so I can see the attraction.
@vandana7 (98912)
• India
14 Feb 23
What is so great about watching a total solar eclipse. LOL
I would put a premium for using bathrooms ...and swimming pools....guests staying more than a day pay 10000 Australian dollars for three days. Those who stay for less pay 1000. The collection would help improve sewer facilities as well as exit facilities apart from water facilities.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (62377)
• United States
14 Feb 23
That happened with the last eclipse. It happened in part of Kentucky, and the place was overrun with people. They described it as a “360 sunset” when the eclipse happened, and I’ve seen photos of it. I would hope for more than 62 seconds, though. Heck, that sunset in Cedar Key lasted 20 minutes! 
1 person likes this
@Beestring (13365)
• Hong Kong
14 Feb 23
Wow, too many people for a small town. I've watched total solar eclipse once in Halifax, Canada. It was amazing.
1 person likes this
