Hurricane Related School Closures in Tampa Bay
As we all keep our eyes on Helene, Tampa Bay Area schools are beginning to announce school closures to ensure families have time to prepare and so designated schools can serve as storm shelters for the community.
We are working to gather the latest updates from each school district to help your family prepare and plan. Still, you want to be sure to stay up to date with your individual school district and school as information may change very quickly.
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Hillsborough County Public Schools:
Follow Hillsborough County Public Schools Facebook page here.
Tuesday, September 24, 2024, statement:
“As our district leaders have worked closely with local emergency management officials to monitor Tropical Storm Helene, we have been advised that our area could see sustained wind levels and potential flooding that would make it dangerous for students and our staff to travel to and from school.
Our top priority is to keep everyone safe, so we have decided to close school through Friday, September 27.
The county is currently reviewing which of our sites could be used as storm shelters for our neighbors living in low-lying areas or residents from surrounding counties who need to evacuate.
Extracurricular activities for tonight (Tuesday) are still scheduled and HOST for today is still open. Athletic events, extracurricular activities, and HOST for Wednesday and Thursday are canceled.
Once we have more information from county emergency management officials, we will notify you regarding our plan for school opening on Friday.
We encourage all families to review their emergency plans and stay prepared. Please stay safe.”
Follow Pinellas County Public Schools Facebook page here.
Tuesday, September 24, 2024, statement:
“Pinellas County Schools is working closely with Pinellas County Emergency Management in preparation for the tropical system predicted to impact our community. All Pinellas County Schools and offices will be CLOSED on Wednesday, September 25 through Friday, September 27. All sports and school activities scheduled for Wednesday, September 25, through Friday, September 27, are canceled.”
Sports and activities scheduled for Tuesday, September 24 will occur as scheduled. Activities at sites designated as shelters may be altered.
Please continue to visit www.pcsb.org/weather for weather-related updates from Pinellas County Schools. Should conditions change, Pinellas County Schools will communicate updates using the following methods:
- A recorded phone message to all employees and families
- Email message to employees and families
- Text message to all registered users (opt-in by texting YES to 67587)
- Information posted on the district website: www.pcsb.org
- Information will be shared with local TV, radio, print and online news outlets
- Information posted on the district’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts
- Emergency Information Phone Line: (727) 588-6424. Call the Emergency Information Phone Line to hear a recorded update
Pasco County Public Schools:
Follow Pasco County Schools Facebook page here for updates.
Tuesday, September 24, 2024, statement:
“We want to inform you about important updates due to the upcoming storm expected to impact our county on Thursday. Pasco County Emergency Management has requested that we open five schools as emergency shelters. Here are the details regarding school closures and activities:
Wednesday, September 25:
Schools will open as scheduled. All after-school activities and events are canceled to prepare for the storm and shelter setup. ASEP/PLACE programs will continue as usual.
Thursday, September 26:
All district offices and schools will be closed. This includes the cancellation of all after-school programs, ASEP, and PLACE.
Friday, September 27:
All Pasco County schools will remain closed.
Follow Citrus County Public Schools on Facebook here.
“All Citrus County Schools will close schools Thursday, September 26th and September 27th as Citrus County braces for storm. School will continue as previously scheduled as a half-day, on Wednesday, September 25th.
After this morning’s policy meeting with the Emergency Operations Center, the Sheriff’s Office has decided to open shelters starting Wednesday, September 25 at 2pm. Because some of our schools are used as hurricane shelters, this means that all schools will be closed after our scheduled half-day on Wednesday, September 25.
All Schools Closed: Thursday, September 26 and Friday, September 27.
After-school programs and extra-curricular activities are cancelled beginning Wednesday through Friday, September 27. However, the YMCA before and after school programs will continue on Wednesday until 6pm.
Many factors are considered when the Emergency Operations Center activates shelters, and our school district plays a vital role in the EOC’s response.
We encourage you to stay up to date with local news reports; we will continue to update you through Skyward emails, texts, and phone calls, as necessary. You can also monitor the impact on schools at www.citrusschools.org and our district and school social media pages.”
Hernando County Public Schools
Follow Hernando Schools on Facebook here for updates.
Tuesday, September 24, 2024, statement:
“According to the National Hurricane Center and Hernando County Emergency Management, a tropical storm system, currently moving through the Gulf, is predicted to strengthen through Tuesday and is likely to impact our community between Wednesday September 25 and Thursday, September 26. At this time, the school district is preparing schools to serve as storm shelters for area residents.
Hernando Schools will close schools and district offices Wednesday-Friday this week. All afterschool activities for Wednesday and Thursday will be cancelled. Before and aftercare programs (YMCA and Boys & Girls Club) will not operate on those days.
After we know more about the storm’s potential impact to our community, we will make a determination as to reopening schools on Friday.”
Follow Polk County Public Schools on Facebook here.
Tuesday, September 24, 2024, statement:
“Our staff has been closely monitoring the storm’s path and consulting with Polk County Emergency Management. Based on the most current forecast, we do not expect significant impacts in our area for tomorrow, Wednesday, September 25. Consequently, all PCPS schools and offices will remain open during regular hours.
However, in light of the approaching storm, we will be canceling or rescheduling all after-school programs and sports activities. Please note that all after-school events will conclude by 6 pm on Wednesday. For specific information about rescheduled events, we encourage you to reach out to your child’s school directly.
As the storm progresses, we anticipate that Polk County will begin experiencing rain bands and winds between 8 pm and 10 pm on Wednesday evening. The current forecast indicates that our county may face tropical storm conditions from Thursday morning through 2 am on Friday.
As a precaution, we have made the decision to close all PCPS schools and offices on Thursday, September 26, and Friday, September 27.
This decision is driven by our commitment to the safety of our students and staff. The uncertainty surrounding the storm’s trajectory necessitates that we allow our teams adequate time to assess the condition of our campuses and facilities, ensuring they are safe for reopening.
We plan to resume normal operations on Monday, September 30.”
School District of Manatee County:
Follow the School District of Manatee County on Facebook here for updates.
Tuesday, September 24, 2024, statement:
“The School District has been working with Manatee County Emergency Management to make plans for the impact of Tropical Storm Helene. The district has been notified that several of our schools will be needed as storm shelters to serve residents who need assistance.
Therefore, ALL School District of Manatee County Schools INCLUDING Manatee Technical College will be closed Wednesday, September 25 and Thursday, September 26. All school activities, including athletics, are cancelled for Wednesday and Thursday.
A decision regarding Friday will not be made until after the storm passes, shelter operations conclude and teams have had an opportunity to assess the condition of district campuses.
We will keep you updated as we receive additional information about this system’s impact on our schools. You will receive any updates through mass notification phone calls, emails and texts, as well as through our social media sites on Facebook (ManateeSchoolsGoodNews), X (formerly Twitter) @Manateeschools, and on our district website at https://www.manateeschools.net.”
Sarasota County Public Schools:
Follow Sarasota County Public Schools on Facebook here for updates.
Tuesday, September 24, 2024, statement:
“Sarasota County Schools and Sarasota County Emergency Services are monitoring Potential Tropical Cyclone 9 (Tropical Storm/Hurricane Helene when it develops further) as it approaches Southwest Florida.
Based on the latest track of the storm, the decision has been made to close all traditional public schools after school ends today to enable those schools that are designated as evacuation centers to prepare to receive residents on Wednesday, September 25. All traditional public schools will be closed for normal school operations from Wednesday, September 25 through Friday, September 27 due to the storm. After school activities will happen on Tuesday, September 24 only.
We will share additional school-related updates via direct messages, social media platforms and www.sarasotacountyschools.net/hurricane.
Please continue to visit Sarasota County’s website (www.scgov.net) as well as local media outlets for the latest weather-related updates. Thank you for your continued support of our schools – please stay safe!”