Hurricane Related School Closures in Tampa Bay
As we all keep our eyes on Idalia, 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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Statement from Hillsborough County Public Schools:
Follow Hillsborough County Public Schools Facebook page here.
Monday, August 28, 2023, morning update:
“We continue to work closely with Hillsborough County’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in monitoring the track of Tropical Storm Idalia.
The latest forecast brings TS Idalia up the west coast of Florida with storm surge and heavy rains expected to impact Hillsborough County by Tuesday evening and all-day Wednesday. With that in mind, county emergency officials have made the decision to activate some of our schools as storm shelters to house evacuees who are in flood zones.
Considering this decision, we will close all schools and suspend all after-school programs and extra-curricular activities beginning tomorrow, Tuesday, August 29 and Wednesday, August 30. All district offices will also be closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
At this point, it is anticipated that we will reopen and resume normal operations on Thursday, August 31. We will provide further updates if that plan changes.
I hope you will spend this evening reviewing your family’s hurricane plans and make the necessary arrangements to protect your family and home. We will continue to email you updates we receive from our local EOC office. Information will also be updated at HillsboroughSchools.org as well as on the district’s Facebook and Twitter pages.
As always, we are in this together – Hillsborough Strong!
Van Ayres, Interim Superintendent”
Statement from Pinellas County Public Schools:
Follow Pinellas County Public Schools Facebook page here.
Monday, August 28, 2023, morning update:
“Pinellas County Schools continues to closely monitor Tropical Storm Idalia. All schools and offices remain open with normal operation on Monday, August 28. District Leaders are in contact with Pinellas County Emergency Management to stay apprised of the status of the storm and any impact it may have on our county. We will continue to provide updates as we get more information.
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.”
Statement from Pasco County Public Schools:
Follow Pasco County Schools Facebook page here for updates.
Monday, August 28 morning update:
“Due to the approaching Tropical Storm Idalia, Pasco County School District will be CLOSING schools on Tuesday and Wednesday this week. Please take all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of your families.”
Statement from Citrus County Public Schools:
Follow Citrus County Public Schools on Facebook here.
- Dismissal for Elementary: 12:35 pm
- Dismissal for Middle School: 11:20 am
- Dismissal for High Schools: 11:40 am
Statement from Hernando County Public Schools:
Follow Hernando Schools on Facebook here for updates.
“Hernando Emergency Operations Center Reports Tropical Storm Idalia is likely to impact our area as early as Tuesday, August 29. The Office of Emergency Management has requested the use of several Hernando schools as shelters for residents.
To prepare and manage those facilities, HCSD will close all schools and most district offices MOnday-Wednesday, August 28-30th.
As the impact of the storm develops, updates will be sent to parents through all school-to-home communication channels and will be posted to the HCSD website www.hernandoschools.org and on Facebook @HernandoSchools.”
Statement from Polk County Public Schools:
Follow Polk County Public Schools on Facebook here.
Monday, August 28 afternoon update:
“Polk County Public Schools is monitoring the path of Tropical Storm Idalia, which could impact Central Florida starting late Tuesday evening. Our team continues to monitor the weather and we are working with the Polk County Emergency Operations Center to provide you with updated information regarding the potential impact to our area.
At this time there are no changes planned to the PCPS school day schedule for Tuesday, Aug. 29. Please know we will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available since the storm could impact our school operations on Wednesday and Thursday.
While we expect to operate on a regular schedule tomorrow, all after-school activities for Tuesday, Aug. 29, are canceled and will be rescheduled as needed. We also are postponing the College and Career Fair scheduled for Tuesday evening at Florida Southern College.
Please see our complete update: https://polkschoolsfl.com/…/pcps-schools-will-be-open…/”
Statement from School District of Manatee County:
Follow the School District of Manatee County on Facebook here for updates.
Monday, August 28, 10 am update:
“Working closely with Manatee County Public Safety Department officials, the district has informed parents and families at *four* schools that students will be dismissed at NOON (TODAY) to prepare those schools to serve as shelters in advance of Tropical Storm/Hurricane Idalia.
The four schools being dismissed at noon are:
• Nolan Middle
• Freedom Elementary
• Miller Elementary
• Mills Elementary
Details regarding bus transportation and other issues related to the early dismissals have been shared with parents and families at those school through mass notification phone calls and emails.
All other district schools are scheduled to be open for the full school day today.
Information regarding school Tuesday and Wednesday will be released in collaboration with Manatee County Emergency Management. Thank you.”
Statement from Sarasota County Public Schools:
Follow Sarasota County Public Schools on Facebook here for updates.
Monday, August 28 afternoon update:
“Out of an abundance of caution and due to the latest track of Tropical Storm Idalia, **traditional public schools will be closed on Tuesday, August 29 and Wednesday, August 30,** in order to function as Evacuation Centers. This includes all after-school activities. All after-school activities today, Monday, August 28, will take place as scheduled.
Evacuation Centers will open at 8:00 AM on Tuesday, August 29. For a list of current Evacuation Centers, please visit Sarasota County’s website: http://www.scgov.net/…/emergency…/evacuation-centers.
We will be updating www.sarasotacountyschools.net/hurricane with traditional public school-related updates as more information becomes available.
If your child is enrolled at a charter school, please check directly with your school for updates on closures.
Thank you, and stay safe!”