Solar eclipse Michigan 2024: Traffic jams, early crowds in Luna Pier
- Traffic has already started building up ahead of today’s total solar eclipse.
- The eclipse is expected to reach maximum visibility between 3:10 and 3:15 p.m.
- In Luna Pier, people have already staked out sites on the beach and and in parking lots.
LUNA PIER — Traffic jams on Interstates 75 and 275 were forming as early as 10 a.m. as Michiganders began heading south to see the total solar eclipse.
It will be the first time in 70 years that a total solar eclipse is visible from Michigan, and the contiguous U.S. won't see another one for 20 years.
Related:
- What time is the eclipse in Michigan? Where to go and what you’ll see
- Solar eclipse 2024: What time and other answers from a Michigan astronomer
- U-M student on mission as NASA 'eclipse ambassador' to educate communities
Bailey Redler, 22, made the hour-long drive down to Luna Pier from Ann Arbor to see a solar eclipse for a second time in her life. Although the moon will cover 99% of the sun as viewed from Ann Arbor, Redler said she wanted to see the eclipse from the path of totality, where coverage is expected to be 100%.
“It’s an extra 50 miles, I thought you might as well make totality,” she said. “It would’ve been easier for me to get back from here than all the way from across the state line even though it’s not really a difference in miles.”
Most of Michigan should see a partial eclipse, with maximum coverage from about 3:10 p.m. to 3:15 p.m., but Luna Pier in Monroe County is part of just a tiny sliver of Michigan in the line of totality.
The small town off the shore of Lake Erie has just over 1,300 residents. Crowds are starting to gather at the city’s beach and parking lots are already full as people are camping out to see the once in a lifetime event.
Businesses along Luna Pier Road have been bustling with eclipse watchers going in and out for food, drinks and snacks.
Khalil Gray, 47, owner of IBN Gray Inc., an online clothing shop, traveled from Detroit to sell 2024 Solar Eclipse merchandise along with eclipse viewing glasses.
Luna Pier Beach Cafe typically doesn’t open until 5 p.m. but opened its doors at noon and orders “have been non-stop” since it opened, said bartender Ashley Scott.
At 1:30 p.m. the small restaurant was on an hour and a half wait for meals.
In honor of the eclipse, the restaurant created speciality drinks like “Black Out Berry,” which was the most popular of the day, Scott said.
Click on the speedometer to see traffic conditions.
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