Coming to Cleveland for the eclipse? What families should do if separated

Melissa Reid
·1 min read

CLEVELAND (WJW) – Cleveland and Cuyahoga County officials outlined a plan Thursday to keep hundreds of thousands of people safe during the total solar eclipse.

Molly and James Newbrough, along with their two-year-old son Daniel, are planning to travel from Stephens City, Virginia to Northeast Ohio, April 6-10.

“We’ve got an RV last year so we are always looking for reasons to go camping,” said Molly.

It’s a six-hour road trip for this family of three, and while they will be camping outside the city, they plan to come downtown to enjoy the festivities.

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The Newbroughs are among the tens of thousands of visitors expected in Northeast Ohio.

City and county safety leaders are bracing for big crowds downtown.

“Predictions have said that the crowds could be everything from a Browns game, Cavs game, Guardians game and St. Patrick’s Day combined. That’s a lot of people,” said Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb.

At a news conference Thursday, the city announced three reunification centers for families to meet up if someone gets lost in the crowd.

Those centers are:

  • Tower City in Downtown

  • Our Lady of Mount Carmel on the west side

  • 5th District Police Headquarters on the east side

“We also want families to make sure you have cell phone chargers and establish rally points for families,” said Cuyahoga County Sheriff Harold Pretel.

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There will be a massive law enforcement presence, but officials remind everyone that if you see something, say something.

“Also for younger children, make sure to have your phone number on their arm. Just in case you lose a small hand, it’s important so we can get a hold of mom, dad or another adult,” said Pretel.

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