« Back to News & Notices

2024 Solar Eclipse

4/8/2024

2024 Solar Eclipse - Declaration for April 8th

This local declaration authorizes Bell County to take actions necessary to promote life safety and critical infrastructure including requiring private property landowners in unincorporated areas of Bell County to register if that owner plans to host watch parties, dry camping, or other large event that exceeds 50 people.  Registering information will provide public safety officials and first responders with important information that will aid them during this period when roads and highways may be stressed, and responders may be impeded by population conditions.

Property owners hosting, renting, or leasing space between April 5-8, 2024 that is expected to exceed 50 people will provide information in the linked form below with:

  • Site plans showing the layout of the event
  • Clearly marked number of dry camping spaces and parking
  • Ingress and Egress routes in and out of the property
  • Designate routes in and out for First Responders Emergency vehicles
Property owners are responsible for observing proper and legal waste disposal rules and regulations. 
On-Site Sewage Facility and RV Park regulations can be found at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality website (https://www.tceq.texas.gov/).  Illegal dumping is a crime and a public health hazard.


*Call Bell County Public Health at 254-532-9800 to file a local public health complaint.

Click Here for the Eclipse Private Gathering Form

Click Here for the Declaration Relating to the Solar Eclipse

Eclipse Preparedness Tips

Bell County's population of approximately 400,000 is expected to double leading up to and the day of April 8, 2024 due to an influx of Eclipse viewers.  This increase in people will add stress to local resources, infrastructure, and may cause many inconveniences to residents.  Be prepared for traffic congestion, shortages of food and fuel, and cellular network congestion.

Here are some tips to help prepare for the weekend before and the eclipse, April 5-8, 2024:

 

  • Stay home and avoid driving if you can.
  • Expect travel delays and be prepared to take alternate routes.
  • Do NOT stop on the side of the road to view the eclipse.
  • Fuel up vehicles before the event, on or before April 4.
  • Purchase groceries and supplies in advance, on or before April 4.
  • Refill prescriptions in advance, on or before April 4.
  • Be prepared for cellular reception to be intermittent or interrupted
    • Use landlines if possible.
    • In case of an emergency, call 9-1-1; texting 9-1-1 is also an option.
    • Know your local non-emergency phone numbers; police, fire, and code enforcement.
  • Eclipse View Tips
    • ALWAYS use safe solar viewing glasses ("eclipse glasses"), a safe handheld solar viewer, or indirect viewing methods during the partial phases of the eclipse.
    • Do NOT look at the Sun through a camera lens, telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device while wearing eclipse glasses or using a handheld solar viewer.
    • During the brief totality you may view the total eclipse without proper eye protection only when the Moon completely obscures the Sun. (You'll know it's safe when you can no longer see any part of the Sun through eclipse glasses or a solar viewer.)
    • Put your eclipse glasses back on or use a handheld solar viewer to look at the Sun as soon as little bit of the bright Sun reappears after totality.
    • More information and tips are available at the NASA Eclipse site. 
      https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2024/

Click Here for a Map of the Eclipse