Hopkins County officials prepare for approaching total solar eclipse

SULPHUR SPRINGS, Texas (KETK) – The Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce, The city of Sulphur Springs and local first responders have spent approximately 18 months gearing up for the April 8 total solar eclipse.

Sulphur Springs residents can sign up their property as paid parking during the total solar eclipse

The Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce is excited to showcase the beauty and hospitality of Sulphur Springs for the total solar eclipse.

“Astronomy.com listing us as one of the top spots said that we have the best weather historically on April 8th than any other place on the centerline. So, we’re expecting about 10,000 people that weekend just in hotels, RV parks,” said Butch Burney, Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce president.

Sulphur Springs will be one of the premier places in our country for eclipse viewing.

“And that, 4 minutes and 21 seconds is one of the longest viewing times in the northern hemisphere,” said Burney.

If the weather is good, they’re expecting their town to grow in population up to three times on April 8th.

Buford Park is one of the many spots people will gather for this stellar event on April 8th.

“Our downtown, our churches, they’ve opened up their parking lots for parking and things like that, we’re also going to have some parking at our football stadium,” said Burney.

David James, fire chief and fire marshal for the city of Sulphur Springs shares that they’re prepared for all the extra traffic.

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“Public safety is going to be a big part of it of course, we’ve got limited staff with a smaller town. With the influx of population that we are looking at we’ve got to stage and set stuff up in areas that we wouldn’t normally have at station, or police presence,” said James.

Officials are making sure that they will be prepared for everything the week of the eclipse.

“We will up staffing to anticipate the call volume and incidents that could, hopefully, don’t but could happen,” said James.

For now, the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce wants residents and visitors to know they are ready.

“We have been preparing for it and so I want people to come here and feel like they’ll have a safe trip here and what we feel like is going to be a fantastic day,” said Burney.

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