The City of Bowling Green is within a 124-mile-wide band in the state of Ohio that will experience a total solar eclipse on the afternoon of Monday, April 8.
The city has been planning for the eclipse with the Wood County Emergency Management team and other community partners under the recommendations and guidance from the Ohio Emergency Management team. Bowling Green is expecting travelers from around Ohio and other states to visit the areas of totality.
Challenges that eclipse viewers and residents may expect include:
- Heavy to gridlocked traffic conditions before and after the eclipse.
- Travelers stopped on roadways (heat, water, food, bathroom challenges).
- Limited cell phone service due to heightened network use.
- Potentially limited food and gasoline availability on the routes due to an influx of travelers.
In preparation for the eclipse day, the city will be making the following adjustments:
- The City Administration Building will be closed to the public 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., on Monday, April 8. Utility payments may be paid online or placed in the secure drop box located to the left of the entrance. Tax forms/payments may be placed in the secure drop box as well.
- Curbside refuse and recycling collection for every area of the city will be delayed one day the week of April 8.
- The police, fire, public works, and utilities departments will be operating with extended shifts and increased staffing in anticipation of large crowds, heavy to gridlocked traffic, possible road closures, and other safety considerations.
Bowling Green parks will be a great place to observe the eclipse. City Park, the Community Center, Carter Park, Simpson, and the Wintergarden/St. John’s Nature Preserve will all have staff on site to monitor parking and restroom facilities. Parking at many of the parks is limited and spots may fill quickly. Consider walking or biking to a local park. The city has a park within 1.5 miles of every resident.
Residents are also reminded of the following safety tips:
- Wear protective eclipse safety glasses while viewing the eclipse.
- If you do not have to travel that day, don’t. Traffic is expected to be very heavy.
- Be sure to have essentials purchased and vehicles fueled prior to April 8 in case local stores and gas stations experience supply shortages due to the large number of people visiting our community.
- Have a family communication plan in the event of limited cell phone service due to heightened network use due to the large number of people visiting our community.
- If traveling that day, have a travel plan. Do not pull over into the shoulder or side of the road to view the eclipse. This will make it difficult for emergency personnel to respond to emergencies. Do not park on privately owned land unless arrangements have been made with the owner of the property. Paper travel maps are a great item to have. Plan for and pack your vehicle with the needs of everyone traveling with you in the event of gridlocked traffic.
