Are schools in Miami-Dade, Broward and the Florida Keys closing because of Helene?
Tropical Storm Helene is expected to make landfall on Thursday night along the Gulf Coast of Florida, but will have impacts across the state before then. The storm is expected to become a major hurricane before it makes landfall.
In South Florida, heavy rainfall is expected potentially causing localized flooding, with the worst conditions predicted from Wednesday night through Thursday. A flood watch is also in effect.
In anticipation, Monroe County schools will be closed on Thursday, according to the Monroe County Emergency Management. The area expects sustained tropical storm force winds from 30 to 40 mph in the Lower and Middle Keys and 25 to 35 mph sustained winds from Islamorada to Ocean Reef in the Upper Keys.
Broward also announced Wednesday evening that it will be closing schools on Thursday. This closure includes all after-care services, after school activities and events. Broward announced Thursday afternoon that schools and District offices will resume normal operations on Friday, including before and after school services, after-school activities, local field trips, and evening events and classes.
Miami-Dade County Public Schools say they are monitoring the storm but will not be closing schools.
Miami-Dade says that all outdoor activities and after school programs will take place inside and outdoor athletics will be canceled.
Miami-Dade Schools makes determinations for closing schools in consultation with the National Weather Service and Miami-Dade Office of Emergency Management. If the sustained winds are 35 mph or higher, district bus operations must be discontinued.
This story will be updated throughout the day.
This story was originally published September 25, 2024 at 10:59 AM.
