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Heading north for the eclipse? Expect heavy delays, GDOT warns

By Aaron Diamant, Justin Wilfon, WSB-TV and Steve Gehlbach, WSB-TV
By Aaron Diamant, Justin Wilfon, WSB-TV and Steve Gehlbach, WSB-TV

HABERSHAM COUNTY, Ga. — We are just one day away from the first coast-to-coast solar eclipse in nearly 100 years.

Georgia counties in the path of totality say they’ve been preparing for this day for months -- some for years.

On Friday, inside Habersham County’s Emergency Management Command Center, public safety leaders ran through their game plan one more time ahead of Monday’s eclipse.

“We’re not going Chicken Little. The sky is not falling,” Sheriff Joey Terrell said. “It’s one of those things that, you know, how much can you prepare? Hopefully, we’ve done enough.”

Habersham, White and Rabun counties are in the path of totality. Channel 2’s Aaron Diamant reported on Friday afternoon that he saw northeast Georgia roads already filling up with cars and campers.

“It is a challenge. I mean, you hear numbers from 10,000, 53,000 to more. The questions are asked, ‘What are you going to do?’” said Sfc. Chad Johnson with the Georgia State Patrol.

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Johnson said local and state agencies have spent more than a year collaborating on strategies to keep traffic moving and keep people safe.

“There’s one way up there and there’s one way down there, so we’re estimating there’s going to be some major delays on your way up and down,” said Katie Strickland with the Georgia Department on Transportation.

Channel 2's Justin Wilfon spoke with a woman who drove from Louisiana to North Georgia in hopes of finding the perfect spot to see the eclipse.

"We saw it as an opportunity to bring a bunch of our friends and their kids up to see the eclipse," Sarah Riggs said.

Wilfon also spoke to a man who said his father drove up from Florida and sat in traffic on I-85 for two hours.

"It wasn't much fun for him. He was pretty aggravated by the time he got here," Tyler Tetley said.

GDOT said it's suspending all construction work in northeast Georgia to keep lanes open. It’s also deploying extra HERO units from metro Atlanta.

Terrell said they’re working to prepare for worst case scenarios.

“That’s what we’re what-iffing. What if we have a bus turn over and it shuts down the road, and we have to bring in multiple ambulances, multiple fire equipment?” he said.

Deputies are asking visitors to stay off the side of the roads because they need shoulders open for emergency vehicles.

They are situations they’ve faced before, just with a lot fewer people around.

Johnson said the wildcard is the possibility for criminal activity.

“It does create a unique situation where the criminal element does have an opportunity to try to take advantage of the people who are trying to enjoy this event,” he said.

Johnson said if that happens, they have plans in place to handle it.

Overall, agencies say they are ready, but are asking visitors to just be cool and be patient.

WSB-TV is your home for everything Total Solar Eclipse. We’ll have exclusive content and everything you need to know leading up to the big day on Aug. 21!

Then, when the Total Solar Eclipse crosses through the United States, make sure you’re relying on Channel 2 Action News for complete LIVE coverage from across the country!

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