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.
With additional people coming into the county and utilizing Wyandot County resources, locals and visitors are encouraged to plan ahead for interruptions to travel.
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
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.
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!
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.
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.
Eye safety is a concern during solar eclipses, because the suns rays can damage your eyes even as the sun is disappearing behind the moon. 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.
Additional eclipse safety tips are as follows: