2024 Solar Eclipse

Our community will experience an historic total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, 2024. Please use the below information as a resource to help keep residents, visitors and businesses safe during this event.

What is an eclipse?

Eclipses occur when one object passes in front of another or when an object passes in between two aligned objects. Many objects in our solar system can eclipse each other; however, our Moon, our Sun, and the Earth are most important to us. A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes through the Earth’s shadow. For a solar eclipse to occur, the Moon must pass in between the Earth and the Sun. This passing casts a shadow on the Earth, and only those in the shadow can witness the eclipse. When the Moon is furthest from us (at apogee), only part of the Sun is covered, and this is known as an annular solar eclipse. When the Moon is closest to us (at perigee), the Sun is fully covered, yielding a total solar eclipse. 

More Information

• Hays County Eclipse Information
• Check out what the eclipse will look like in Kyle, Texas with this Eclipse Simulation
• Learn more about solar eclipses
• Learn more about Predicting eclipse visitation with population statistics

Residents & Visitors

Increased Heavy Traffic

Due to the influx of visitors to the area, be prepared for heavy traffic and/or road closures before and after the eclipse, especially on Interstate 35, as well as increased traffic on ancillary roads, and long lines at area businesses and convenience stores. The best advice is to plan ahead, leave yourself plenty of time to get to your destination. Please park only in designated areas and not on private property or in areas that cause safety issues, to view the eclipse.

Temporary Fuel Shortage & Supply Delays

People are encouraged to fill/charge automobiles completely several days prior to the eclipse as increased demand and delivery disruption may cause temporary shortages.

Communications Interruptions

Communications Infrastructure (cellular towers, wifi, etc.) may be at or over capacity, and residents, visitors and businesses will need to plan accordingly in advance of the eclipse. 

• Carry Cash in case credit card machines are not working.
• All visitors are encouraged to pre-map and have a physical copy of your route. Include your hotel, stores, pharmacies, hospitals/medi-clinics as well as coffee shops, convenience/grocery, etc.
• If your hotel or other accommodation has a landline phone number, write it down.
• Tell friends and family your travel plans; share your location. 

Inventory Supplies

Order key supplies that can be stored in advance such as toiletries, food, medicine, and water. However, avoid over-ordering any supplies to prevent from negatively affecting supply and demand for our community.

Eye Safety During a Solar Eclipse

According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), except during the brief total phase of a total solar eclipse, when the Moon completely blocks the Sun’s bright face, it is not safe to look directly at the Sun without specialized eye protection for solar viewing. 

Viewing any part of the bright Sun through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics will instantly cause severe eye injury.

For more information on eye safety and best practices, including information on the ISO 12312-2 international standard, Click Here. For a list of safe solar viewers and filter suppliers, including retail chains that sell ISO-compliant safe eclipse glasses, Click Here. 

Limited Free Eclipse Glasses Available at City Facilities:

• The Kyle Public Library will have a limited amount of free eclipse glasses available from April 1-6, 2024. Glasses will be limited to 2 per family, on a first come, first served basis, while supplies last.
• The Kyle Parks and Recreation Department will have a limited amount of free eclipse glasses available on a first come, first served basis while supplies last, at the below locations on Monday, April 8 starting at 11AM: 
  • Steeplechase Park, 295 Hallie Dr.
  • Bunton Creek Park, 980 Bunton Reserve Blvd.
  • Lake Kyle Park, 700 Lehman Rd.
  • Waterleaf Park, 628 Abundance Ln.
  • La Verde Park, 3901 Burnham Rd.
  • Mary Kyle Hartson City Square Park, 101 S. Burleson St.
  • Heroes Memorial Park, 4100 S FM 1626

Hays Consolidated Independent School District Schedule

The Hays Consolidated Independent School District will have not have regularly scheduled classes on Monday, April 8, 2024. For questions, please contact Hays CISD at 512-268-2141.

Solar Eclipse Preparedness Kit

• Protective Eyewear
• Sunscreen and sunburn medication
• Insect repellant
• Drinking water
• Medications for 2-3 days
• Mobile phone and charger
• First-aid kit
• Cash (in case ATMS and credit card machines are down)
• Medical bracelets/IDs
• Insurance cards
• Trash bags
• Kids - bring activities for them (e.g., games, puzzles, toys) and plenty of healthy snacks
• Pets - bring leashes and harnesses, medications, food, water, poop bags, toys
• Extra water for overheated cars
• Fix a flat kit
• Safety flair
• Spare tire(s)

Businesses

The Kyle Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a luncheon on January 23, 2024 that featured City of Kyle Emergency Management Coordinator William Paiz-Tabash offering information and tips to prepare businesses for the Eclipse on April 8, 2024. 

Business Preparedness Tips

• Communications Infrastructure may be at or over capacity, and businesses will need to plan accordingly with employees, vendors, and more in advance of the eclipse in case wifi or cellular service goes down. Recommendations include:
  • Consider how you will communicate with employees and vendors if cellular service and wifi go down.
  • Be prepared to handle cash transactions.
  • Have manual, or hand-operated, credit card readers ready, if possible.
• Due to the influx of visitors to the area, be prepared for heavy traffic and/or road closures before and after the eclipse, especially on Interstate 35, as well as increased traffic on ancillary roads, and long lines at area businesses and convenience stores.
  • Schedule errands and deliveries for your business several days ahead of the eclipse or several days after the eclipse.
  • Consider adjusting business hours, skeleton crews or hybrid/virtual work, where possible, to keep employees off the road.
• Due to the influx of visitors, the City is requesting businesses that provide essential services such as fuel, groceries, etc. to stock up in advance of the eclipse. Order supplies that can be stored in advance such as toiletries, medicine, and water. 
• Be prepared to report illegal dumping to Kyle Police Department and Hays County Sheriff's Office:
  • Kyle Police Department non-emergency number: 512-268-3232
  • Hays County Sheriff's Office non-emergency number: 512-393-7896