Top state officials alert public about eclipse

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WJW) — Northeast Ohio is just three days away from Monday’s total solar eclipse.  The Ohio Army National Guard is on standby and the state’s emergency operations center will be activated this weekend.

State officials said they have been planning for the eclipse since 2021.

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The director of Ohio’s Emergency Management Agency said the state could see anywhere from 100,000 to 500,000 visitors, in addition to the 7.2 million Ohioans who live in the path of totality.

Gov. Mike DeWine said his goal is to keep everyone safe.

“We’ve been urging everyone to plan ahead, get there early, stay late and as EMA Director Sima [Merick] says, ‘Bring your patience with you,” said DeWine during a Friday morning news briefing.

DeWine called Monday’s total solar eclipse a major event for the state.

At the news conference, hosted at the Ohio Emergency Management Agency in Columbus, he outlined the state’s plan to keep Ohioans and visitors safe as they enjoy an event that has not been seen in the state in more than 200 years.

“Our primary concerns for this event are weather and congestion, and congestion can be both traffic and potentially large crowds,” said Merick.

On Sunday, the governor will activate the state’s Emergency Operations Center, where leaders from various agencies will gather and coordinate to watch for and solve any problems that arise.

That includes the Ohio Army National Guard on standby.

“Despite all of our precautions — and you know, this is not gloom and doom — this should be a fun day, should be an interesting day for people, and we just want everybody to have a good time,” said the governor.

“Over the weekend, we will look at certain variables, like the weather, like traffic patterns and we will determine if and when and where it may be necessary to employ these National Guard folks through the weekend and into Monday, to respond to any contingency,” explained Maj. Gen. John C. Harris, Jr., Ohio adjutant general.

Will you get a clear view of the 2024 eclipse? See the cloudiness map

DeWine said if the National Guard is deployed, it would most likely be for traffic control.

“We are going to be using our traffic management center, which is open 24/7 to allow our network of cameras, 1,100 cameras, to monitor traffic in real time,” said Jack Marchbanks, director of the Ohio Department of Transportation.

“Have a preparedness kit in your car and items like paper maps, snacks, drinks, cash and a cell phone charger,” suggested Merick.

DeWine said leaders in states that have already experienced a solar eclipse say the most congested travel time is when it’s over and everyone heads home at the same time.

He also said the weather will play a major role, because thousands of people could change their viewing plans at the last minute.

“If it’s dramatically different in one part of the state versus another part, you know, you may see some real movement to the area of where the cloud cover is not there and they’ll have a chance to get better views,” DeWine said.

The governor also revealed a few interesting facts: The last total solar eclipse in the state was in 1806. Edward Tiffin was governor, Chillicothe was the state capital, and Ohio had only been a state for three years.

The next total solar eclipse in Ohio occurs in 2099, with a path roughly from Toledo to Zanesville.

According to NASA, the eclipse will start in Cleveland on April 8 at 1:59 p.m. and reach peak darkness at 3:13 p.m., before ending at 4:29 p.m.

The state will be suspending lane closures and construction on Monday.

State leaders reminded people not to stop on the highway during the eclipse.

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