Ohio residents have been urged to stay at home on April 8, when a once-in-a-lifetime eclipse will obscure the view of the sun in the northern area of the state.
Emergency planners, experts from NASA, county leaders and the National Weather Service conducted a Town Hall online meeting to discuss the impacts the total eclipse may have on Summit County.
During the gathering on County Executive Ilene Shapiro’s Facebook page, the general consensus is it’ll be a once-in-a-lifetime event.
Count officials say the best view will be at the park within distance of your home or even your own backyard. The biggest concern is any out-of-town visitors expected to flock to northern Ohio and Summit County to watch the total eclipse.
The last total eclipse in the state took place in 1806, and won’t return until 2099. The momentous event is expected to see tens of thousands of nearby and far residents watch it.
Officials are concerned the influx of tourists – although they cannot estimate how many – will cause gridlock as people try to beat traffic on the way home.
It comes after similar instances happened on popular interstates and thoroughfares from previous total eclipses that have been recorded in other states. Sometimes, they can last hours on end, local media reports.
Emergency Management Director Thomas Smoot is urging residents to stay at home and enjoy it from there, or for visitors to set lots of time before and after to allow traffic to flow freely.
Several northern Ohio school districts have cancelled classes for the day in April, and others have set a half-day or early dismissal. Buses won’t be on the roadways during or after the eclipse due to the traffic.
Smoot added concern is if there are huge traffic jams, it may affect emergency responders.
Donna Skoa, Summit County Public Health Commissioner said residents should treat the total eclipse like a major storm. People have been advised to complete errands ahead of time and avoid travelling unless necessary.
But if you want to see the total eclipse, the weather may not be playing ball.
Freddie Zeigler, from the National Weather Service, said historical trends show less than a 10% chance of totally clear skies to see it.
Residents are also being reminded it’s not safe to look directly at the sun and to wear special eclipse viewing glasses.
It’s reported the eclipse will start in Texas and pass over Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, and Indiana before Ohio. The Total eclipse will be at 3.15pm in Akron and last 2 minutes and 49 seconds, and end fully at 4.29pm. Findlay will see it between 3.10pm and 3.15pm, Cleveland, 3.13pm and 3.17pm and Pennsylvania 3.16pm and 3.20pm.
