Ohio state parks preparing for total solar eclipse on April 8
DELAWARE, Ohio (WCMH) – The total solar eclipse is just two weeks away, and departments around the state are in the final stages of preparation for the rare event.
“It is kind of like the Super Bowl for us,” said Jason Fallon, communications manager with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. “We haven’t seen something like this since 1806.”
Delaware State Park on Monday was calm and quiet. On April 8, it’ll be a much different scene. The park is one of many locations across central Ohio and the state expecting big crowds for the eclipse. Nearly two dozen state parks, including Delaware, will be in the path of totality, Fallon said. ODNR will have hundreds of eclipse programs statewide.
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“It’s almost going to be like a summer weekend in April, is what we’re telling people. Be patient, most importantly have an awesome time and enjoy the phenomenon of the eclipse,” Fallon said. “This is something we’ve been preparing for for years. This isn’t just something we’ve been planning for the last couple months. It’s definitely been a full state effort from multiple different agencies.”
One of those agencies is the Delaware County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. Scott Stewart, deputy director, said the county has learned from areas in Kentucky that experienced totality in 2017.
“From what we’ve learned, the traffic impacts that may come can have the gas stations running out of fuel or people actually running out of fuel on the roadways and stuff and that’s a major concern, so just taking a little bit of preparedness the week before can help you out with that,” Stewart said.
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He suggested those planning to visit pack extra water and snacks in the car, and be ready to be in the car for a while. He also said having a map is a good idea, in case cell service is in an issue,
“The last one happened in 1806 and the next one doesn’t happen until 2099, so for most people, that’s a once in a lifetime event, and the main thing we want to stress to people is just take some time to prepare a little bit so that you can enjoy the event,” Stewart said.
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