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Wednesday, August 16, 2017 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
Viewing the eclipse from the water
Preparing for the
eclipse experience
By Kym Pokorny
Correspondent
CORVALLIS – With the
solar eclipse on the horizon,
it’s time to get prepared by
stocking up on glasses, food,
water, gas and patience.
“The number of people
expected in Oregon for the
Aug. 21 eclipse, especially
in the path of totality, will
really stretch our resources
and infrastructures,” said
Glenda Hyde, a family and
community health educator
with Oregon State University
Extension Service. “There
could be double or triple the
population in some areas.”
Predictions may fall short,
but people should be ready for
large crowds, possibly grid-
locked traffic and runs on gro-
cery stores and gas stations.
In case stores close or run
out of essentials, start now to
stock up on food for a week,
concentrating on canned
and boxed goods, including
shelf-stable milk alternatives.
Frozen food is an option, too,
but if power goes out tempo-
rarily keep the freezer closed.
It’s important to plan for
healthy meals rather than just
high-fat, high-sugar snacks.
“Part of being resilient is
eating healthy,” Hyde said.
“And don’t eat the same thing
over and over. You can get
through with red beans and
rice in an emergency, but your
nutrition will be lacking.”
If you do nothing else,
don’t skimp on the special
glasses needed for viewing
the eclipse.
“It’s essential to wear
eclipse glasses whether
you’re in the path of totality
or on the fringe,” Hyde said.
“It’s not a myth that staring
into the sun can cause perma-
nent eye damage.”
To avoid getting counter-
feits, look for ISO 12312-2
stamped on the glasses, she
said, as well as one of the fol-
lowing companies certified by
NASA: Rainbow Symphony,
American Paper Optics,
Thousand Oaks Optical, TSE
17, and Baader Planetarium.
Fire hazard will be
extremely high so don’t park
or drive on dry grass. Water
plants and lawn near the
house and clean up debris
to create a defensible space
around homes. Don’t use
open flame or start campfires.
Hyde also recommends:
• Withdraw cash as ATMs
may not work or be depleted.
• Fill up the gas tank and
keep it filled.
• Have water on hand for
three days – a gallon per per-
son per day is a good goal.
• If traveling, even for
short distances, keep some
water, food and a first aid kit
in the car. A backpack will
come in handy if you have to
walk somewhere.
• Don’t forget pets when
stocking up on food.
• Keep a week’s worth of
medications on hand.
• Cell phone towers may
become overwhelmed. Make
sure you can locate family
members with alternative
methods.
Try not to stress out.
Take a deep breath,
relax and enjoy this
special event.
— Glenda Hyde
“Planning and preparing
will give you alternatives for
situations that may arise,”
Hyde said. “Try not to stress
out. Take a deep breath, relax
and enjoy this special event.”
Viewing the solar eclipse
on Monday, August 21, from
the water will surely be a
memorable experience. The
Oregon State Marine Board,
marine law enforcement and
boating facility providers
offer boating safety tips so
that the experience is also a
safe one.
• Arrive early. Expect
gridlock on highways and
access points before, dur-
ing and after the event. Once
out on the water, plan to stay
a while. If a boating facility
is at capacity, have a backup
plan for where to go. Single
cars that park in boat trailer
parking may be ticketed
or towed. Parking on road
shoulders or in the grass is
discouraged due to potential
fire hazards and could impede
emergency responders.
• Have plenty of food,
water, and anchor line. It’s
also highly recommended
to have a port-a-potty and to
take advantage of floating
restrooms. Leave no trace;
dispose of garbage properly.
• Prep your boat ahead of
time. Avoid prepping the boat
at the ramp to keep the ramp
clear for efficient launch-
ing and retrieving for others.
Paddlers are urged to use the
bank to launch and retrieve.
• Anchor or beach the
boat during the different
phases and totality. With con-
gested waterways comes the
increased risk of collisions.
It’s best to find a good spot
and stay put. If you need to
be underway, go slow and be
aware of what’s directly in
front and to the sides of you.
Expect people in float toys
and wading in the water near
the shoreline.
• Have special viewing
glasses for the eclipse and
avoid looking in the sky
for long periods of time.
Alternate between the view-
ing glasses and regular sun
glasses to protect your eyes
from not only the sun, but the
glare off the water.
• Observe all regulations,
including slow/no-wake
rules at boat ramps, marinas
or moorages, floating-home
moorages and people work-
ing at water level. As an
added courtesy, operate at
slow/no-wake speeds within
100 feet of other boaters.
All boating and night-
time navigation rules apply.
Running lights are required
during the eclipse and anchor
lights are required for power-
driven boats and sailboats at
anchor. Nonmotorized boats
can use a flashlight or lighted
lantern. It’s important to be
seen during the two minutes
of darkness.
Law enforcement will be
on the water, paying close
attention to boats operating
unsafely during the eclipse.
The fine for unsafe boating
is $465, so be patient, courte-
ous, and stay on the water a
while to fully enjoy this once-
in-a-lifetime event.
To find a boating facil-
ity in the path of totality
and other eclipse resources,
visit http://www.oregon.gov/
OSMB/Pages/Eclipse.aspx.
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