About 18 months ago, I sat in a meeting where several local officials were in the room, as we first discussed the 2024 Solar Eclipse. I have to admit, at first, I giggled. It seemed that everything that was being said was just a little…out there! I thought there was no way that a billion people were going to want to come to Logan County to see something that was going to last just a few minutes.
Over the next several months the subject would creep up over and over again. I would attend several meetings where we could discuss all of the “what-ifs,” and prepare for “The worst-case scenarios.”
THEN, I recently read an article where a lady was recounting her solar eclipse experience in 2017. She and her husband had traveled to Kentucky to see the phenomenon. The closer they got to the totality line, the crazier things got. Traffic from all over the United States was flocking to the area. She and her husband hoped to get off the highway and find a quiet spot to just watch the eclipse, however, that proved to not happen. As they got off into a small town, parking lots, gas stations, and businesses were jammed. Cars were parked on both sides of the road. Finally, just before the big moment, they found a parking spot. She talked about how the world seemed to stand still for those few moments of the eclipse. Then it happened…chaos. The worst traffic jam they had ever been in. Everyone jumped in their car and wanted to leave. Everyone. All at once. Waiting for a little bit, they soon noticed they didn’t wait long enough. The highway was packed with stop-and-go traffic. Cell reception was spotty, at best. They got off the highway at the next exit, hoping for a gas station that would provide some snacks, as they were starving. Ha, nope! It was a bizarre scene, almost out of a movie, with no snacks, no candy bars, and just a stray bottle of water or two in the cooler. Deciding to take the back roads, rather than the highway, it wasn’t long until they caught up with all the other viewers who had the same idea. What should have only been a few-hour trip turned into an all-day experience.
In reading this woman’s story, I realized all the hype MIGHT be more accurate than I initially thought. Maybe the eclipse is a bigger deal than many in this community realize, including me.
As locals, how can we be prepared, just in case?
- Make sure your gas tank is full, even if you are staying home to watch the eclipse and aren’t going anywhere. Why? So there is more than enough for all those who are coming to our area. If they can fill up, they can go home!
- Go to the grocery early. Get your snacks and meals, that way you don’t have to when all the out-of-towners are.
- If you have a landline, use it instead of your cell phone. If you don’t have a landline anymore, send a text rather than try to make a phone call. It uses less data.
- Get cash early. ATMs may not work. If cell phone service is spotty, the internet might be the same.
The eclipse will be on April 8th. It’ll be spring. It might be rainy. It might be snowing. There are no guarantees we will even see the eclipse.
Maybe we prepared for nothing, and no one will show up. I don’t know about you, but I’d rather be safe than sorry.
Regardless, I am here for it. I will report the news to you, whether there are over a million people here in Logan County or just you and me. I’ll do my best to let you know what’s happening in your backyard and around The Peak of Ohio.
If we are prepared, this once-in-a-lifetime eclipse is sure to be fun, whether it’s seen from your front door or at one of the amazing events locally… Check them out HERE. It’ll be something we’ll always remember.
