KILLEEN, Texas — Get ready, Central Texas, the 2024 total solar eclipse is less than three months away.
At 1:36 p.m. on April 8, the skies will darken for four minutes and 16 seconds as the moon passes directly between the Earth and the sun, blocking the sun from view, and Central Texas will be right in the path of totality.
The City of Killeen is one of several in the area already making plans for the big event, expecting the city's population of 160,000 to double for several days as the eclipse comes to town.
From safety tips to local events, here is what to expect.
Safety and Preparation
According to the City of Killeen, 40 brand hotels with 2,500 rooms are already booked in preparation for the astronomical event. The average price for the hotel rooms that are left is reportedly $300, with some rooms reaching up to $900 per night.
Due to the large crowds expected, the City has offered a few tips for residents or those traveling in to watch the spectacle:
- Traffic is expected to be heavier, especially near locations holding events
- Fuel up on gas by April 4
- Shop for groceries early to avoid holiday-like crowds
- Use text messaging for communication to ease network congestion
- Business owners should gear up with adequate stock and efficient ordering systems
The City of Killeen said its Emergency Management team and staff have been planning for the eclipse since 2021. The City held a town hall meeting in December of 2023 to inform the community about preparedness, plans, events and more.
“We’ve been meeting for more than two years,” Peter Perez, Director of the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management said. “The good thing is that City of Killeen staff have been meeting internally, as well as with our partners, county officials and we’ve actually been reaching out all over the country to other areas that experienced this in 2017 trying to find areas our size to see what they experienced and what after-action reviews they had to provide us better insight into how to prepare.”
The City of Killeen also offered some general safety tips on how to view the eclipse itself, especially regarding eye protection.
The Killeen Libraries will reportedly offer eclipse eyewear to the community, and the Main and Copper Mountain Branches will host eight informational sessions in March. The City said citizens must participate in at least one entire session to receive a pair of eclipse glasses. Free glasses will also be offered at the Killeen Civic and Conference Center.
Solar eclipse glasses should have an ISO of 12312-2 to meet the safety standards of an eclipse. For more ways to safely view the eclipse, and more information on safe eyewear, visit this link. It is never safe to look at an eclipse with the naked eye.
Events
There is plenty to get excited about for the eclipse in Killeen, with numerous watch parties or other events being held around the area leading up to the eclipse.
The Killeen Parks and Recreation Department will host a Laser Light Show on Saturday, April 6 at sunset outside of the Lions Club Park Family Recreation Center, located at 1700 E Stan Schlueter Loop.
The Mayborn Science Theater will also host numerous events for the eclipse. A full schedule of events will be found at the Mayborn Science Theater website as the event draws closer.
The City of Killeen said it has partnered with the Mayborn Science Theater and Central Texas College for the eclipse.
Due to the expected crowds, residents are also encouraged to host their own "Celebrate Solar at Home" events, gathering family, friends and neighbors together to hold watch parties of their own on their property.
Those interested in hosting their own public or private eclipse watch parties are asked to complete a Watch Party form with the City, which can be found at KilleenTexas.gov/eclipse.
CTC’s KNCT-FM 91.3 radio will have live coverage the day of the eclipse and the Killeen CVB will also have a playlist provided.
The Killeen Convention and Visitor's Bureau will have a full list of public events on their website as well, according to the City.
City of Killeen offices will be open on April 8, according to the City, though the Killeen Independent School District and Fort Cavazos will reportedly be closed with essential personnel only.
More information on the City of Killeen's plans for the eclipse can be found at KilleenTexas.gov/Eclipse and the Visitor's Bureau eclipse website at KilleenEclipse.us.
More information on events and preparations for the eclipse across Central Texas can be found at KCENTV.com/Eclipse.
More on the eclipse from 6 News: