Solar eclipse just over four months away

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

Today marks 17 weeks until Van Wert County and most of the surrounding area will be in the path of a rare total solar eclipse.

The county, along with all of Putnam, Allen, Auglaize and Mercer counties will be directly in the path of the April 8, 2024 eclipse, along with most of Paulding County. Ohio EMA officials believe the entire area, especially Van Wert County, will be a popular spot for those wanting to see it and they’re estimating the county’s population could swell to 58,000 for the event.

In Van Wert County, the eclipse will begin at 1:54 p.m. that day and will reach totality at 3:08 p.m. for approximately four minutes, before ending at 4:27 p.m. Those coming to the area are expected to arrive over the weekend and most of them will likely leave once it’s over.

“We have no way of knowing (exactly) how many people will come and right now (we are) basing our numbers on what the State of Ohio is sharing with us from reviewing past eclipse events,” Van Wert County EMA Director Rick McCoy said via email. “Certainly it is without question that large populations will be coming our way since we are in the point of totality.”

McCoy previously said a number of people from Fort Wayne are expected to visit Adams County or Van Wert County to see the total eclipse and he said I-75 will be a major thoroughfare, along with I-69. Roads are expected to be congested, especially prior to and immediately after the event. There are also concerns that if people do flock to the county as expected, it will likely affect supplies of food and gasoline and will likely tax Wi-Fi and cellular services.

A number of Ohio communities in the path of the eclipse have started planning, with some offering various celebrations and other attractions. In Van Wert County, two eclipse planning meetings have been held, one in March and one in September. McCoy said he plans to schedule additional meetings, but no dates have been set yet.

“Groups were asked to develop plans and ideas and share with my office of what their intentions are,” he stated. “At this time I have not received any updates from groups since our last meeting. I am not getting questions from businesses at this point but my intention is to work with businesses to discuss the impact that they may encounter.”

McCoy did note that the Van Wert County Fairgrounds has announced eclipse plans, which can be found here. Main Street Van Wert will hold an event two days prior to the eclipse.

In addition, local schools are pondering what to do on the day of the eclipse, which will occur at around normal dismissal time. Crestview Local Schools Superintendent Kathy Mollenkopf has recommended classes be canceled that day. The school board is expected to make a decision next week. Lincolnview and Van Wert school boards may decide their plans next week as well.

The State of Ohio has earmarked $1 million to help communities defray safety costs. The money, which was allocated to the Ohio Emergency Management Agency, will be used to reimburse eligible costs for emergency responders and emergency management tied to the eclipse.

The eclipse will be the first in the Buckeye State since 1806 and the final one in Ohio until 2444.