St. Helens Solar Eclipse Preview and Preparedness Information

SPECIAL ECLIPSE PREVIEW IN ST. HELENS, OREGON! You may have heard something about a major celestial event happening in our region next Monday, . While St. Helens is not in the path of totality, the St. Helens Police Department in collaboration with the City of St. Helens is pleased to offer you an exciting opportunity to experience the path of totality in St. Helens before everyone else!

That’s right! At 8:21 p.m. tonight, you can step outside your door in St. Helens to experience the darkening of the sun and then again the next morning at 6:12 a.m. to see the sun reappear. If you are unable to witness this exclusive opportunity tonight, not to worry. We are pleased to offer this same eclipse preview in St. Helens each evening and morning leading up to August 21! As with safety measures that you will need to take on eclipse day, please do not stare directly at the sun without wearing certified solar filter glasses.

Now that we hopefully have your attention, we would like to share some real 2017 solar eclipse preparedness information for Columbia County residents thanks to Columbia County Emergency Management and Columbia County Public Health Foundation:

Suggestions for RESIDENTS and VISITORS:

• Be prepared for crowds, lines and traffic. Be patient. The State anticipates one million visitors during the eclipse and a good percentage of those may transit Columbia County
• Have snacks, water and first-aid supplies at home in case crowds/lines/traffic become paramount. It is a good idea to stock your home with some extra supplies three days ahead of the eclipse.  Make sure you have a full tank of gas and plenty of water.
• Become aware of the beauty, splendor and hazards that are all part of Oregon. Know what to do and where to go in the event of severe heat, wildfires, earthquakes and other natural disasters.
• Have an emergency kit and an emergency plan; make sure family members or friends back home know your schedule, when you are expected to return and your plan if something happens.
• DO NOT look directly at the sun.  Columbia County will experience 98.7% totality.  If you wish to observe the eclipse be sure to get ISO certified eclipse glasses for you and your family.
• ODOT anticipates that the eclipse could generate an extreme traffic jam in the Portland Metropolitan area.  Maybe Monday the 21st is a good day for a staycation?
• Be aware that public transit may be extremely popular that day and could have the same issues as the roads.