Wyandot County Eclipse 2024

The afternoon of Monday, April 8, 2024 will bring sights of a total solar eclipse to visitors in Wyandot County and across Ohio. According to the Ohio Emergency Management Agency, the path of the solar eclipse will span around 124 miles, stretching across 13 states from Texas to New Hampshire.

With an expected influx of visitors to the community, Wyandot County Public Health is offering the following tips for county residents and visitors alike to have a safe and fun solar eclipse watch party.

Travel plans

With additional people coming into the county and utilizing Wyandot County resources, locals and visitors are encouraged to plan ahead for interruptions to travel.

• Fill up your vehicle's gas tank a few days ahead of the eclipse.
• Understand that travel immediately following the eclipse is likely to be slow due to the number of visitors who will be traveling out of the county. It is possible that roadways, both county roadways and highways, will be traffic jammed for several hours following the eclipse. If possible, make plans to avoid travel that afternoon and evening. Visitors are encouraged to make plans to stay into the next day to reduce the strain on the roadways.
• Slow down and drive defensively. The 2024 Eclipse, just like every day, is a great time to remind yourself and your loved ones about the basics of safe driving. Buckle up, drive sober, don't speed, and drive defensively. We want all of our visitors and county residents to have an enjoyable and safe time watching this special event.

For a complete list of things to do in Wyandot County during the eclipse weekend (lodging, food, events, and emergency services), visit the official Wyandot County 2024 Eclipse website

Camping

Wyandot County locals interested in offering temporary campsites to visitors may need to receive a temporary campground permit. Permits are required for temporary campgrounds that offer five or more campsites and that are charging a fee for staying on the property.

Everything you need to know about setting up your temporary campgrounds can be found on the temporary campground page.

Stocking up

More people in the county means more people visiting the local stores for supplies. Be sure your household is stocked with necessary food, medication, etc. in the days leading up to the eclipse to get you through the eclipse weekend and a few days after.

Be sure to get some cash out of the bank ahead of the eclipse weekend, too! It's possible that additional visitors will put strain on the available cash and on credit systems in the area. Make sure you're prepared just in case!

Food

Wyandot County offers many wonderful local restaurants and favorite chain restaurants. Local food trucks also are likely to be operating during the eclipse weekend.

For food establishments looking to sell food off-site, additional permits are needed. More information can be found in the temporary food vendor packet. Still have questions? Contact Wyandot County Public Health at 419-294-3852.

Communication plans

The increase in people using local cellphone towers may have some effect on our communication abilities if cell towers become overloaded. Plan ahead for these disruptions with loved ones.

Rest assured that the Wyandot County Emergency Management Agency is currently creating backup communication plans to ensure that emergency communication lines are open and ready. Subscribe to receive Wyandot County emergency alerts here.

Keeping your eyes safe

It is never safe to look at a partial solar eclipse without proper safety equipment or techniques. During the very brief time the sun is in a total solar eclipse, the total eclipse may last only a short period of time, and when looking towards the sun as the moon moves away from blocking the sun, one might get a solar burn on their retina which can cause permanent damage to their eyes. Visit NASA's eye safety webpage to learn more.

The Ohio Emergency Management Association explains that the only safe way to look directly at a partially eclipsed sun is through special-purpose solar filters, such as eclipse glasses or hand-held solar viewers. Homemade filters and ordinary sunglasses don't offer enough protection.Start thinking now about eye safety to determine the best viewing option for yourself and your loved ones.

Solar Eclipse Glasses:

• Make sure that your eclipse safety glasses or viewers are certified as meeting international standards for safe solar viewing. The current standard for safe solar viewing is ISO 12312-2; your eclipse safety glasses or viewers should have this designation printed on them.
• Take care to purchase your glasses or viewers directly from a recognized manufacturer of certified safe eclipse glasses or a reputable seller that purchased from a recognized manufacturer. AAS Reputable Vendors
• Solar eclipse glasses should be used when watching an annular or partial solar eclipse as well as during total solar eclipses (except during the very brief time the sun is in total eclipse, and even then, use caution).

Additional eclipse eye safety tips are as follows:

• Always inspect your solar filter before use; if scratched or damaged, discard it. Read and follow any instructions printed on or packaged with the filter.
• Always supervise children using solar filters.
• Stand still and cover your eyes with your eclipse glasses or solar viewer before looking up at the bright sun. After looking at the sun, turn away and remove your filter — do not remove it while looking at the sun.
• Do not look at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun through an unfiltered camera, telescope, binoculars, or other optical device.
• Similarly, do not look at the sun through a camera, a telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device while using your eclipse glasses or hand-held solar viewer — the concentrated solar rays will damage the filter and enter your eye(s), causing serious injury.
• Seek expert advice before using a solar filter with a camera, a telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device. Note that solar filters must be attached to the front of any telescope, binoculars, camera lens, or other optics.
• If you normally wear eyeglasses, keep them on. Put your eclipse glasses on over them, or hold your handheld viewer in front of them.

Skin Safety

Even during a partial or annular eclipse, or during the partial phases of a total eclipse, the Sun will be very bright. If you are watching an entire eclipse, you may be in direct sunlight for hours. Remember to wear sunscreen, a hat, and protective clothing to prevent skin damage.

Find more Tips to Stay Safe in the Sun from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.