Governor holding Friday news conference on Ohio's plans for eclipse

Ohioans may be less in the dark about what the state plans for Monday’s solar eclipse after Governor Mike DeWine and other state officials hold a news conference Friday.

DeWine and representatives from the Ohio Emergency Management Agency, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, and Ohio Department of Transportation will gather at 10:30 a.m. to discuss statewide preparations for Monday's solar eclipse.

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The event, which includes parts of the Mahoning Valley, is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of visitors to the state. 

The Governor has signed an Executive Order directing all State departments and agencies to be ready and prepared to ensure the health and safety of all Ohioans and visitors before, during, and after the eclipse.

Ohio Emergency Management Agency coordinates the state’s preparation and response to the event.

Only 21 total solar eclipses have crossed the lower 48 states during the existence of the United States of America.

The last total solar eclipse visible in Ohio was in 1806, and the next total eclipse will not pass through Ohio until 2099.