A total eclipse in the heart of Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry (SDG) is taking place on Monday, April 8.
Roughly the southern half of the counties is within the path of totality of a total solar eclipse which will sweep northeasterly across North America from Mexico to Newfoundland that day. Total eclipses occur when the Moon completely covers the face of the Sun. To see it, people must be somewhere within the narrow path of totality. SDG will be among the only places in Ontario to experience totality during the eclipse. The northern limit of the path of totality roughly follows the boundaries between North and South Glengarry, North and South Stormont, and North and South Dundas.
At 3:24:40 p.m. on April 8, the area within the path of totality will experience complete darkness for two minutes and 15 seconds. Areas north of the path of totality will experience partial darkness throughout the day.
Due to SDG’s location, significant tourist traffic is expected on April 8 and Counties officials are planning for it. Ottawa and Toronto, and just half of Montréal Island are within the path.
At the February 20 meeting of SDG Counties council, Corporate Communications Coordinator Todd Lihou said The Raisin Region Conservation Authority had not scheduled any official eclipse events for its conservation areas, but the St. Lawrence Parks Commission is planning a viewing event at Crysler Farm Battlefield Park near Morrisburg. Lihou said the provincial agency has purchased 10,000 pairs of eclipse glasses for visitors to use so they may view the sun safely.
SDG Training and Emergency Management Coordinator Katherine Beehler said the counties are part of a provincial working group composed of affected municipalities and provincial government departments within the path of totality across Ontario. Beehler said discussions have taken place with telephone companies about how extra tourist traffic could strain mobile phone service and 911 emergency services.
Beehler said SDG is also coordinating possible traffic concerns with the City of Ottawa, which borders SDG to the northwest.
Her advice to residents within the path of totality is to watch it from their backyards to avoid the expected traffic.
“If you live in SDG Counties, the best view is at home,” Beehler said.
For complete information on the total solar eclipse path of totality in SDG, including an interactive map of how it will pass across the region, go to https://www.sdgcounties.ca/2024solareclipse .
