Tropical Storm Helene: School closures announced as Florida braces for hit by major hurricane

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Published  September 25, 2024 12:20am EDT
FOX 35 Orlando

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ORLANDO, Fla. - Tropical Storm Helene developed on Tuesday and is projected to intensify into a major hurricane over the Gulf of Mexico. It could potentially make landfall in Florida on Thursday.

In anticipation of the storm, school districts and universities in Florida are starting to announce school closures. FOX 35 News will provide updates to this article as more details regarding Central Florida schools become available.

Tracking Helene: Continuing Coverage

Alachua County

  • Alachua County Public Schools will be open on Wednesday, Sept. 25. All activities must end by 6 p.m.
  • Will make a decision by 2 p.m. Wednesday regarding Thursday.

Brevard County

  • Brevard Public Schools will be in class on Wednesday, Sept. 25.
  • District plans to make decision by noon Wednesday regarding school on Thursday.

Dixie County

  • Closed on Thursday, Sept. 26
  • Closed on Friday, Sept. 27.

Flagler County

  • Flagler County Schools is in session this week, but said it was monitoring Tropical Storm Heleene.
  • "No decision has been made to cancel or shorten any school dates this week"

Gilchrist County

  • Gilchrist County Schools will end at 1 p.m. on Wednesday. All after-school activities are closed.
  • Schools closed on Thursday and Friday, Sept. 26 & 27.

Lake County

  • Lake County Schools will be open on Wednesday, Sept. 25. After-school activities on as planned.
  • Closed on Thursday, Sept. 26.
  • No decision yet on Friday, Sept. 27.

Levy County

  • Lake County Schools closed on Wednesday, Sept. 25.
  • Closed on Thursday, Sept. 27.

Marion County

  • Marion County Schools will be closed on Thursday, Sept. 26.

Orange County

  • Open on Wednesday, Sept. 25. All activities must end by 6 p.m.
  • Closed on Thursday, Sept. 26.
  • Decision not made for Friday, Sept. 27.

Osceola County

  • Open on Wednesday, Sept. 25.
  • Closed on Thursday, Sept. 26.
  • Decision not made for Friday, Sept. 27.

Polk County

  • Polk County Schools open on Wednesday, Sept. 25.
  • Schools will be closed on Thursday, Sept. 26 and Friday, Sept. 27.

Seminole County

  • Open on Wednesday, Sept. 25.
  • Closed on Thursday, Sept. 26.
  • Decision not made for Friday, Sept. 27.

Sumter County

  • Sumter District Schools will be closed on Thursday, Sept. 26 and Friday. Sept. 27.

Volusia County

  • Volusia County Schools has canceled after-school activities for Wednesday, Sept. 25, but class will be in session.
  • Classes have been canceled for Thursday, Sept. 26.

Florida College, University Closures

University of Central Florida (UCF)

  • Campus and classes open on Wednesday, Sept. 25
  • Classes and campus operations closed on Thursday, Sept. 26.
  • Operations expected to resume at 6 a.m. on Friday

Florida A&M University

  • Closed Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, Sept. 24-27
  • All academic activities also suspended

Florida State University (FSU)

  • FSU Main Campus will be closed Wednesday - Sunday, Sept. 25-29, 2024.
  • Main campus will close at 7 a.m. Wednesday
  • Campus expected to resume normal operations on Monday, Sept. 30.
  • The Marine Lab at Turkey Point will also be closed Wednesday - Sunday, Sept. 25-29.
  • Student housing in Tallahasee will remain open
  • Visit https://alerts.fsu.edu/ for info on Florida State University School, FSU satellite campuses

Tallahassee State College

  • Closed Wednesday, Sept. 25 through Friday, Sept. 27.

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