Media Contact: Jennifer Ciaccia: (216) 250-5863; jciaccia@cuyahogacounty.us

It's the final countdown!

CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OH - We are now just days away from the April 8 Total Solar Eclipse and Cuyahoga County is located directly in the path of totality for this once-in-a-lifetime event! The Total Solar Eclipse will begin just before 2:00 p.m., with totality occurring for about four spectacular minutes, from 3:13 p.m. until 3:17 p.m.

Find the best event for you!
No matter where you are in Cuyahoga County, or in Northeast Ohio, there is an event for you! The next Total Solar Eclipse won’t happen in our region until 2444, so take advantage while you can! Visit Destination Cleveland for details on what’s happening on April 8!

Both Cuyahoga County and City of Cleveland Buildings will be closed, however essential staff will be working.

Get reliable, safe specs for viewing!
To view the eclipse safely, you’ll need to do so through a special-purpose solar filter. Eclipse glasses should comply with the ISO 12312-2 international standard. Don’t use everyday sunglasses, homemade filters, or damaged eclipse glasses, as they do not offer proper eye protection. Kids should be fitted with appropriately sized eclipse glasses. Find tips on safe viewing.

Preparedness is the key to a great eclipse experience!
The Cuyahoga County Emergency Management Agency has been working closely with the State of Ohio and public safety agencies for two years to plan for a safe event. Both the Cuyahoga County and City of Cleveland Emergency Operations Centers will be activated for the Total Solar Eclipse.

Residents are encouraged to stay up to date on rules and regulations that may be in place within their home communities. Eclipse planning may impact traffic patterns and city services such as waste collection.

Have a safety plan in place for you and your family or group if you plan to attend an eclipse viewing event and choose a designated meeting area should someone become separated. Be mindful of small children who can easily become lost in a crowd. The City of Cleveland has three locations dedicated to family reunification.

Stay safe and travel smart!
The Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department continues to work with law enforcement partners at local, state, and federal levels, as well as City and County Emergency Management agencies, to plan for a safe event.

You can be a part of the Eclipse safety plan! If you see something, say something. Report suspicious or illegal activity to law enforcement. Call 9-1-1 in an emergency. Call 216-621-1234 for non-emergencies.

Due to the expectation of large crowds, there will be parking restrictions in some locations, including Downtown Cleveland.

Pay close attention to signage in your community indicating NO PARKING, as violators can be ticketed and towed. Parking will be at a premium in many locations, and garages and lots can fill up quickly. In the event of large crowds, some areas could see heavy vehicle traffic and congestion. Be sure to have adequate fuel in your car’s gas tank! Have food, water, and any necessary medication on hand in the event of long delays.

Consider alternate travel plans, such as carpooling, ride shares and utilizing public transportation. For bus and rail schedules, visit the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority’s website, or download the Transit App and select GCRTA to plan your trip from any starting point, pay your fare, and see real-time arrival information.

Riding a bike or scooter can be a great mode of travel for large, crowded events. Drivers must be mindful of extra cyclists and pedestrians. Riders should be safe, obey traffic laws, and use a helmet. Young riders should be carefully monitored, especially when travelling on roadways.

Stay in touch!
Although Cuyahoga County does not expect large scale cellular network disruptions, big crowds lead to an increased use of bandwith and cell service can be compromised and slowed down. In the event of cellular outages, it is recommended that callers utilize WiFi calling. Travelers are also encouraged to have printed maps on hand in the event GPS services are temporarily unavailable.

Recycle your eclipse glasses!
The Cuyahoga County Department of Sustainability will offer receptacles in most county buildings to collect used eclipse glasses. Used glasses can be reused in other locations experiencing a solar eclipse.