JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) – After months of anticipation, the big day is finally here.
Region 8 will be plunged into darkness just before 2 p.m. Monday as the Great American Eclipse reaches its peak.
The partial eclipse began at 12:37 p.m., with the moon fully covering the sun at 1:55 p.m., and ending at 3:14 p.m.
K8 News will provide live coverage from Region 8 and across the country beginning at 11 a.m.
You can watch our live team coverage on-air at K8-ABC and on the K8 News mobile app for smartphones and tablets.
To install or update the K8 News and StormTeam apps, search KAIT in your mobile marketplace or click here.
You can also watch our live Great American Eclipse special on our Roku channel, on Amazon Firestick, or on AppleTV installed on connected TVs (CTV).
You can also watch live coverage on our YouTube channel and our Facebook page.
To share your Great American Eclipse experience with K8 News and the rest of Region 8, tap here to upload your videos and photographs.
Mother Nature seems to be cooperating with the solar eclipse.
Chief Meteorologist Ryan Vaughan says a few high-level cirrus clouds might be possible, but they will be transparent and should not affect the view much.
From Newport to Piggott and all points in between, several communities and organizations have events planned to celebrate the Great American Eclipse.
With hundreds of thousands of people expected to flock to the Natural State to witness the Great American Eclipse, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has issued a state of emergency and directed the release of $100,000 from the Response and Recovery Fund to assist commercial carriers carrying essential items during the eclipse.
Police departments throughout Northeast Arkansas and Southeast Missouri expect traffic to be heavy. They urge motorists to “take their time” and expect backups. Many departments will have extra officers patrolling the roads.
AAA also recommends that drivers not try and watch the eclipse while they’re behind the wheel. Also, turn on your headlights and do not wear eclipse glasses while driving.
Except for the two minutes or so of totality, do not look directly at the sun.
“Staring at the sun, especially during the eclipse, can cause eclipse blindness,” said Dr. Matthew Jones, a Blytheville optometrist. “There are certainly some cases where some vision might come back, but again, rule number one, do not look at the exposed sun ever without proper safety glasses.”
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