City officials aren’t sure what to expect, but they feel they’ve done their best to prepare for next Monday’s Total Solar Eclipse. State officials are predicting thousands of visitors will descend on the southern part of Illinois concentrating on areas, like Mt. Carmel, that will experience totality. In fact, Mt. Carmel will have one of the longest durations of totality for the once in a lifetime event. At yesterday’s City Council meeting, Mayor Joe Judge said the city is ready to welcome visitors, no matter how many there are…

The Mt. Carmel Airport is one location sure to see lots of visitors. Airport manager Luis Garcia told the council yesterday that he already has reservations from up to 60 pilots who will fly into the airport for the eclipse. He said if that number increases much more, the airport might be forced to close to additional aviation traffic.

Judge showed off brightly colored shirts yesterday that city workers will wear on Monday to add more visibility as they are deployed to areas they’re needed. City Hall will be closed next Monday for the eclipse.

Garbage commissioner Susan Zimmerman reminded residents to set their trash out Sunday night as Republic Services is expected to be in town by 4am to make their rounds and be out of the city before any potential traffic headaches arise. The 2024 solar eclipse will be visible over approximately 128 miles of Illinois.

Totality enters Illinois as it crosses the Missouri state line southwest in Carbondale at 1:58 p.m. The eclipse will follow a diagonal line crossing over Fairfield and exit Illinois at Mount Carmel at 2:06 p.m, giving the city more than 4 minutes of total darkness.