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

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Updated  September 24, 2024 6:09pm 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. The district plans to make a decision at 2 p.m. Wednesday about whether school will be in session on Thursday.

Brevard County

Dixie County

Dixie District Schools will be closed Thursday, September 26 and Friday, September 27, according to the district's website.

Flagler County

Flagler County Schools said it has not made a decision about whether school will be in session or canceled ahead of Tropical Storm Helene.

Gilchrist County

Gilchrist County School District will release kids early on Wednesday, at 1 p.m. All after-school activities are closed. Schools will be closed on Thursday and Friday, Sept. 26 and 27, 2024.

Lake County

Lake County Schools will have school on Wednesday, Sept. 25. School has been canceled for Thursday, Sept. 26. A decision has not been made regarding Friday, Sept. 27.

Levy County

Levy County Schools will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 25 & 26, 2024.

Marion County

Marion County Schools will be closed on Thursday, Sept. 26, ahead of Tropical Storm Helene.

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. 

The district will share any other school cancelations on its website, or will communicate via its call out system, school signs and through media outlets, a spokesperson said. 

Volusia County

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

Florida College, University Closures

  • Florida A&M University (FAMU) will be closed Wednesday, Sept. 24 through Friday, Sept. 27. Classes have been canceled through Friday. All academic activities will be suspended to address any potential interruptions due to the storm.
  • Florida State University (FSU) will be closed starting at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 25, through 11 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29.  The university expects to resume normal business operations at 12 a.m. Monday, Sept. 30.
  • Tallahassee State College will be closed from Wednesday, Sept. 25 through Friday, Sept. 27.

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