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Are Schools In Florida Closed For Hurricane Hermine? Officials Aren't Taking Any Chances

by Alana Romain

As Florida braced itself Friday for Hurricane Hermine — the first hurricane to actually hit the state in 11 years — officials encouraged all residents to take extra precautions. Are schools in Florida closed for Hurricane Hermine? Many of them are, which is unsurprising, given that Florida Gov. Rick Scott officially declared a state of emergency for 51 of the state's 67 counties, according to CNN. Although Hermine was downgraded to a tropical storm a few hours after it hit land in Florida, it is still expected to do some major damage, not just to Florida, but also to parts of Georgia and North Carolina as it moves up the Gulf Saturday.

With the risk of tornadoes and flooding high, particularly in northern Florida, a long list of counties have announced school closures, and in other parts of the state, many schools have cancelled school-related activities, or are leaving the schools open and excusing any absences, according to WFTV 9. And, according to Tallahassee news station WTXL 27, some communities on the northern Gulf Coast have been told to evacuate completely, including parts of Taylor County, Franklin County, and Wakulla County — especially any residents living in low-lying areas, or those in mobile homes or RVs.

Currently, the following schools and districts near the Gulf Coast are listed as closed Friday, according to WTXL 27:

  • Wakulla County School District
  • Leon County School District
  • Franklin County Schools
  • Taylor County Schools
  • COAST Charter School
  • Betton Hills Preparatory School
  • Decatur County Schools
  • Aucilla Christian Academy
  • Annsworth Academy
  • Woodland Hall
  • Keiser University’s Tallahassee campus
  • Thomas University
  • Florida State University main campus
  • Valdosta City Schools
  • Cook County Schools
  • Tift County Schools
  • Lowndes County Schools
  • Hamilton County Schools
  • John Paul II Catholic High School in Tallahassee
  • Thomasville City schools
  • Grady County Schools
  • Suwanee County Schools
  • The Mitchell County School System/Baconton Community Charter School

In the northeast, the following schools have announced closures, according to The Florida Times-Union:

  • Duval County schools
  • St. Johns County public schools
  • Nassau County public schools
  • Putnam County public schools
  • Clay County public schools
  • Bradford County public schools
  • Baker County public schools
  • Union County public schools
  • Columbia County public schools
  • All Catholic Diocese of St. Augustine school
  • Episcopal School of Jacksonville
  • The Bolles School
  • Jacksonville Country Day School
  • St. Johns Country Day School
  • Beaches Episcopal School
  • Trinity Christian Academy

In Central Florida, the following schools are also closed Friday, according to News 6 Orlando:

  • Marion County Public Schools
  • Flagler County Schools
  • Volusia County Schools
  • Trinity Christian Academy in Deltona

And according to WUSF News, a number of school districts further south are also closed, including those in Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Citrus, and Hernando counties.

In other words, depending on which part of Florida you live in, the main priority for many residents Friday and through the weekend will be staying safe amidst flood warnings, wind warnings, tornado warnings, and storm surge damage. In a press briefing Friday, Scott told reporters that Hermine left 253,000 Florida residents without power at some point, and that extra precaution should be taken around fallen or uprooted trees, and downed power lines, according to WEAR TV. Scott also warned residents to be careful around floodwater, and to avoid driving in it, or even traveling at all unless absolutely necessary.

Anyone in areas affected by Hermine looking for more information can visit floridadisaster.org/info, call 850-921-0217, or, in an emergency, call 911.