One thing is guaranteed.

The skies will grow dark over Wood County Monday afternoon.

Whether local residents and the predicted thousands who flock here to see the rare total solar eclipse will actually be able to view it is another question.

Forecasts for the eclipse in the area and in fact for much of its path are showing clouds and rain a week away.

Anticipation has been building for years, at least since the last total eclipse crossed the United States in 2017.

Quitman Rotary Club reserved the webpage easttexaseclipse.com on that day in 2017, and the Mineola Parks Board also started looking at how the Mineola Nature Preserve might serve as a prime viewing spot.

But that event was canceled by the city council, which also voted to close the preserve to the public on eclipse day April 8.

Concerns expressed by city staff that public safety entities could become overwhelmed helped lead to that decision.

All Wood County schools will be in session that day, with plans to use the event as a scientific adventure.

But school districts also announced they would be closed to visitors on that day and cautioned parents that getting the kids home from school could be a slow process if the expected crowds materialize.

The Quitman Rotary Club has donated enough solar eclipse glasses to equip all the county school children and staff – and some surrounding districts, with additional support provided by clubs in Mineola, Winnsboro and Big Sandy and area businesses. Over 22,000 pairs have been distributed.

The warnings to use proper eyewear before looking directly at the sun are well-documented.

Residents are advised to stock up on essentials such as groceries and gasoline in advance, as those supplies could be taxed by the influx of visitors.

Hotel rooms, RV and camping spots and other accommodations have been booked, some for years in advance.

The eclipse gets underway in the county at 12:25 p.m., with totality of around four minutes starting at 1:42 and the last bit of the moon’s covering the sun ending at 3:04 p.m.

The far northwest corner of Wood County is the closest spot to the center of totality, with crowds expected in the Lake Fork area where there are ample viewing spots.

The two biggest takeaways from the 2017 eclipse were the traffic in the minutes after the eclipse passes and the pressure on goods and services, from cell phone service to restrooms.

The new downtown restrooms at the 1888 Plaza in Mineola are expected to be open for the event.

A number of individuals and organizations are planning to host a variety of events, from that day stretching back to the days leading up to the actual eclipse. Visitors are expected to begin arriving on Thursday.

The next total eclipse to occur that’s not too far away will be in 2045 in Southwest Arkansas.