Solar Eclipse

Solar Eclipse  

Every now and then, an eclipse is visible in North Texas. The 2024 Total Solar Eclipse will occur on Monday, April 8, 2024. It is estimated that a large number of people may visit Waxahachie. If you’re getting a little bit nervous, follow the information below to view the eclipse safely. 

If you still have additional questions, please feel free to call our hotline at 469-309-4475. This hotline will be active on Monday, April 8 only. 


What Happens During a Total Solar Eclipse?The earth rotates around the sun, and the moon circles the earth. At certain times, the moon comes between the sun and the earth, blocking out some or all of the sun's light and temporarily casting a shadow over the earth.  


Video Credit: NASA


The 2024 Total Solar Eclipse Where and When The path that the moon will follow, casting its shadow and making the eclipse visible, is called the "path of totality." If you are in the narrow part of the path of totality, there may be a brief time when the sun is completely blocked out by the moon. That is what makes it a total eclipse. This is a rare occurrence, and a treat for Waxahachians, who will have a front-row seat. This is the first total eclipse visible in North America since 2017—and the last one until 2044!  

If you are in Waxahachie on April 8, you may see the total eclipse around 1:39 p.m., with totality lasting 4 minutes and 20 seconds.

Image Credit: NASA

Safety Tips and How to Prepare 
On April 8, 2024, the moon will pass over the sun in Texas from 1:30 pm to 1:50 pm. The eclipse is a special event for both stargazers and the general public. Large crowds, an influx of tourists, and traffic delays are possible. You should anticipate potential congestion, as tourists and local community members flock to viewing spots. Follow these safety tips to ensure a safe viewing experience:

Plan accordingly.

• Plan your travel in advance and consider carpooling. Avoid non-essential travel and stay off major roadways if possible.
• Expect heavy traffic and sudden stops by drivers.
• Be on alert for distracted pedestrians looking to the sky.  
• Keep your headlights on while driving, even in the daylight. Remember, it will get dark during the total eclipse.
• Stay informed about traffic patterns and road closures through local news and the City of Waxahachie's official channels such as www.waxahachie.com, Facebook, and Instagram @CityOfWaxahachie.
• Have a plan with your family to communicate in case cell phone service is impacted. (Large numbers of people can temporarily overload cellular provider towers.)
• If you are traveling for the eclipse, keep a full gas tank, water, snacks, first aid supplies, and other supplies with you.  
• If you are driving during the eclipse, note that your surroundings may become temporarily dark. Focus on the road, and don’t become distracted by the eclipse while driving.  
• Do not pull over and park on the side of the road to view the eclipse. Doing so can put you and others in harm's way.
• Always keep your eyes on the road. View the eclipse only once you have safely parked away from the flow of traffic, off of the streets and highways.

Protect yourself and your family from sun-related injuries.

• Never look directly at an eclipse without eye protection while the sun moves into and out of place during the total eclipse. Once the moon covers the sun, eclipse glasses can be removed, and it is safe to look at the corona around the moon.  
• Do not wear eclipse glasses while driving. 
• Never look through the lens of a telescope, binoculars, or camera at an eclipse unless you have an approved solar filter attached to the front. Otherwise, you can experience severe eye injuries.
• Never use regular sunglasses to look at an eclipse. Sunglasses are not enough and will not protect your eyes from harm.
• You must use eclipse glasses or eclipse viewers:  
  • To be protective enough, they must be certified, meet the ISO 12312-2 international standard, and be free of scratches to the material.
  • You can also use Welder's glass, no. 13 or 14, which will provide enough protection yet still allow you to see the eclipse.
  • Get eye protection as soon as you can. As the eclipse date gets closer, it will be harder to find the eye protection you will need for safe viewing, and you may miss out.  
• Supervise children and ensure they do not look into the sun, to avoid eye injury.  
• Remember to wear sun protection, such as sunscreen and wide-brimmed hats, if you are going to be outside. The sun can still be bright, and you can get sunburns. 

City Services and Closures
The City of Waxahachie will be closing the following areas to the public:

• City Hall / Charles Beatty Municipal Services Building
• Waxahachie Civic Center
• Waxahachie Sports Complex
• Waxahachie Senior Activity Center
• Lions Park/Citizen Convenience Station
• Waxahachie Animal Services

Additionally, there will be no access to parking at the Farmer's Market and the Wags-A-Hachie Dog Park. 

Payments

To make payments for Utility Billing or Municipal Court, please call 1-888-291-1859 or visit https://www.municipalonlinepayments.com/waxahachietx.

Trash

Every attempt will be made to collect trash on Monday, April 8, 2024. If residential trash is not collected on Monday, please allow additional time.  Please contact Waste Connections at 972-289-6714 if your Monday trash is not picked up by Wednesday, April 10.

Emergency Services

Due to the many anticipated visitors, Emergency Services will be staged across the City. Please only call 911 in the event of a true emergency.

Please do not be alarmed if you see an increase in law enforcement throughout the City. 

 Are There Any Viewing Events Happening? 
Waxahachie will enjoy three days of action-packed entertainment! For an up-to-date list of events happening around town, visit the Waxahachie Convention & Visitor's Bureau at www.WaxahachieEclipse.com.