A preemptive strike is being taken by schools already throughout the state.
Monroe County schools will be closed Thursday because of possible impacts from Hurricane Helene, according to the Monroe County Emergency Management.
So far, Miami-Dade and Broward say they are monitoring the storm but will not be closing schools as of yet.
Other closures that are confirmed:
- FSU’s Tallahassee campus will close from 7 a.m. on Wednesday, until 11 p.m. on Sunday with normal operations resuming at midnight on Monday.
- FAMU will suspend all academic operations starting at 12:15 p.m. on Tuesday through Friday with weekend events rescheduled.
- FGCU will close its campus for all events and classes starting at 9 p.m. on Wednesday. The university will be closed through Thursday, and a decision will be made at 3 p.m. to decide if the campus will reopen on Friday.
- USF will cancel all academic operations starting Wednesday and will not resume until midnight Monday. The university will be closed through Friday, and a decision will be announced to reopen the campus on Saturday.
- UF is expected to make an announcement Wednesday on whether they will close their campus.
- Eckerd College
- All classes are canceled to allow students time to evacuate the campus. Students must be out of their residence halls by 11 a.m. on Wednesday, September 25.
- Campus will officially close at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, September 25. No one will be allowed on campus until an “all clear” message is issued.
- St. Leo University
- Classes canceled and the following locations closed from Wednesday, September 25, through Friday, September 27:
- University Campus (33701 County Road 52, St. Leo) — the residential and commuter campus in Pasco County
- Tampa Education Center (1403 N. Howard Ave., Tampa)
- Center for Adult Learning (University Campus and Pasco-Hernando State College locations)
- Classes canceled and the following locations closed from Wednesday, September 25, through Friday, September 27:
- Florida Southern College
- All classes scheduled on Thursday and Friday will transition to virtual format.
- In-person classes will resume on Monday, September 30
- Pasco-Hernando State College
- All campuses closed on Wednesday and Thursday
- All on-campus and remote learning classes have been canceled
- Hillsborough Community College
- Hillsborough Community College will close at noon on Wednesday through Thursday night. Tentative plans are to reopen on Friday.
- University of Tampa
- All classes, activities, events, and non-essential operations will be canceled from Wednesday, September 25, to Friday, September 27.
- If an evacuation is ordered for Zone A, residence halls will close Wednesday at 1 p.m.
- Limited services will be available starting Saturday, September 28, and full operations are expected to resume on Monday, September 30.
School districts are also being cautious with the approaching threat from Helene.
Below is the most up-to-date information about school closures.
Citrus County
- All public schools will be closed on Thursday, September 26, and Friday, September 27. Schools will have their originally scheduled half-day on Wednesday, September 25.
DeSoto County
- All public schools will be closed on Thursday, September 25. Schools are "tentatively" scheduled to reopen on Friday.
Hardee County
- All public schools will be closed on Thursday, September 26. Schools plan to reopen on Friday, September 27, if the weather permits a safe return.
Hernando County
- All schools and district offices will be closed Wednesday, September 25 and Thursday, September 26.
- All after-school activities, events, Boys and Girls Club, and The Y will be canceled.
Highlands County
- All public schools will be closed on Thursday, September 26. Schools will have their originally scheduled two-hour early release on Wednesday, September 25.
Pinellas County
- All public schools and district offices will be closed on Wednesday, September 25 through Thursday, September 26.
- All sports and school activities scheduled for Wednesday, September 25, through Thursday, September 26, are canceled. Sports and activities scheduled for Tuesday, September 24, will occur as scheduled, but activities at sites designated as shelters might be altered.
Polk County
- All public schools will be closed on Thursday and Friday. Schools are scheduled to reopen in the county on Monday, September 30.
Sarasota County
- All public schools will be closed on Wednesday, September 25, through Friday, September 27.
Hillsborough County
- All public schools will be closed Wednesday, September 25 through Thursday, September 26. A decision for Friday, September 27, will be made later.
Manatee County
- All schools will be closed Wednesday, September 25 and Thursday, September 26.
- All school activities will also be canceled on Wednesday and Thursday.
Pasco County
- All schools and district offices will be closed on Thursday, September 26. Schools are expected to reopen on Friday, September 27, pending storm conditions.