MARION, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW)- A celestial spectacle is on the horizon for Marion County, which will be in the path of totality for the Total Solar Eclipse on Monday, April 8, 2024. This once-in-a-lifetime event is expected to draw visitors from across the nation, doubling the county’s population for the day.
A community meeting was recently held to discuss the potential impacts of the eclipse. The meeting, jointly hosted by Ohio State University Marion and Marion Technical College, was led by Sarah McNamee, Emergency Management Agency Director. McNamee urged Marion County citizens and property owners, particularly in rural areas, to prepare for an influx of traffic, tourists, and increased consumption of fuel and food. She also warned of potential communication lags, including internet and cell service disruptions.
The partial eclipse in Marion County will begin around 1:55 P.M. and end at 4:21 P.M., with totality starting at 3:11 P.M. McNamee emphasized the importance of using ISO-certified eyewear for safe eclipse viewing.
All county and city schools, along with the Marion Campus, will be closed on the day of the eclipse. Local businesses are expected to experience delivery disruptions, shift changes, and other operational impacts.
Bev Ford, Executive Director of Marion’s Convention and Visitors Bureau, encouraged local businesses to prepare for the influx of visitors and potential disruptions. For more information about the eclipse and its impacts, visit eclipse.ohio.gov, Ohio.org/eclipse, and visitmarionohio.com.