OUNC News Release related to the solar eclipse on 8/21/17

On Monday, August 21, 2017 the state of Oregon will experience a total solar eclipse. State officials are expecting an influx of one million visitors to the state for several days on either side of the eclipse. The large number of visitors and Oregonians interested in this special event are being advised to prepare for large crowds, significant traffic impacts, possible cell service disruption, and other impacts that can be reviewed at http://www.oregon.gov/oem/hazardsprep/Pages/2017-Total-Solar-Eclipse.aspx.

The Oregon Utility Notification Center (OUNC) is advising excavators to be aware of these impacts when scheduling work and calling 811 for locates. Many facility operators are making arrangements to address the potential traffic impacts. If possible, excavators may want to schedule work around August 21st. An excavator planning to start work around August 21, may want to consider calling 811 early if possible. Locators will be facing heavy traffic throughout the region. The OUNC encourages all facility operators, locators, and excavators to communicate with each other at all times and especially during this total solar eclipse. All OUNC rules and regulations are still in effect throughout this special event.

The OUNC is the Oregon state agency that administers Oregon’s excavation laws and statewide locate requests. The OUNC’s mission is to operate and maintain a state-of-the-art one-call system for the State of Oregon to reduce damages to underground facilities and to promote public safety related to excavation issues. The OUNC reminds excavators and homeowners to “Know what’s below, call before you dig.”