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Editor’s note: This article will be updated twice a day — around 11 a.m. and 5 p.m — or more frequently as needed. School district and community college closures are determined based on the latest information found on district and community college websites, as well as their Twitter and Facebook accounts when applicable. Are we missing something? Let us know by emailing alindenberg@ednc.org.
Gov. Roy Cooper issued a State of Emergency on Wednesday, Sept. 25 as North Carolina braces for the arrival of Hurricane Helene. Current forecasts show Helene bringing the potential of flooding, landslides, and tornadoes to western and central North Carolina. The storm is expected to arrive on Thursday evening and continue into Friday.
“Helene threatens heavy rain, flash flooding, landslides, and damaging winds to the mountains and Piedmont areas of our state,” said Cooper in a press release. “Now is the time for North Carolinians to prepare, make sure emergency kits are up-to-date and pay attention to the weather alerts in your area.”
North Carolina residents are advised to stay aware and keep a watch on the forecast.
As Hurricane Helene approaches North Carolina, EdNC is working to track closures and delays at our state’s schools and community colleges. We will keep you informed on Helene’s impact on schools, students, and communities.
The Department of Public Safety held a news briefing on Sept. 26 providing updates and advice as Helene approaches North Carolina.
You can Gov. Cooper’s remarks from the briefing by expanding the toggle below.
Gov. Cooper’s remarks
“We want to take this time to give you the latest updates on Hurricane Helene as it closes in on North Carolina. This is an unusually dangerous storm that threatens to bring heavy rain and potentially catastrophic flooding tonight and tomorrow for central and particularly western North Carolina.
When tropical weather crosses into our mountains, it can be deadly. Just a few years ago, Tropical Storm Fred shocked our mountain regions with torrential rain sweeping away homes, bridges and lives. With Helene, this can happen again. Just last week, we were reminded of the unpredictability of severe weather in North Carolina as a coastal storm brought 20 plus inches of rain on parts of southeastern North Carolina.
With Hurricane Helene, we have to be clear here. heavy rains and winds are coming. Beware and prepare. Travel will be dangerous. Flooding is likely, and we are preparing for unexpected conditions. Our thoughts are with our friends in Florida and other southern states that are being hit first, and our priority here is to protect lives and manage the impact of the storm on our communities here in our state.
As it arrives, Helene is forecast to bring more than a foot of rain to parts of western North Carolina, which will likely cause significant flash flooding, landslides, damaging debris flows, slope failures across steep terrain and river flooding. Even areas that don’t typically experience it may see flooding. Cities like Charlotte and Asheville could see flash flooding despite not being in the storm’s direct path.
To prepare, all North Carolinians should tune into weather alerts today and through the weekend. Tropical storm force winds are possible across western North Carolina later today and into Friday. With already saturated soils from earlier rains, falling trees could cause widespread power outages. As of this morning, there are about 14,000 estimated power outages statewide.
There is the potential for tornadoes with this storm system as well, which can quickly spin up with little warning. This storm path is wide and its impacts will be felt far from the center of the storm. The North Carolina State Emergency Operations Center is communicating with local leaders and emergency management teams across our state.
I’ve activated 175 soldiers and airmen from the North Carolina National Guard, and we’ve deployed North Carolina’s swift water rescue teams and urban search and rescue teams to assist in the response and to save lives. Our Department of Transportation is standing ready to respond to road closures and repair the damage. We’ve spoken to Duke Energy and know that line workers are standing by to restore power.
Yesterday, I declared a state of emergency to help move supplies like water, food and medicine, heavy equipment and to support agricultural operations before the storm arrives. If you do not need to travel, please stay off the roadways, especially in the foothills and the mountains. Do not drive through flood waters.
We have lost too many North Carolinians who have driven around barricades and into flood waters, including one just last week in Brunswick County. You cannot tell the depth of water just by looking at it from your vehicle. Turn around. Don’t drown.
If you are told to evacuate, get out of the danger zone. Make a plan now to stay with friends or family if you are in an area that could likely be flooded and I think that there are a number of these in the mountains that could be this way.
Please stay informed to protect yourself and your family.”
Current school district closures and delays
- Alamance-Burlington School System is closed on Sept. 27.
- Alexander County Schools is closed for students and staff on Sept. 27.
- Ashe County Schools is closed for students on Sept. 26 and having an optional workday for staff.
- Asheboro City Schools is closed on Sept. 27 with an optional teacher workday for staff.
- Asheville City Schools is having optional teacher workdays on Sept. 26 and 27.
- Avery County Schools is having optional teacher workdays on Sept. 26 and 27.
- Bladen County Schools will have a remote learning day on Sept. 27.
- Brunswick County Schools will be closed on Sept. 27 with an optional teacher workday for staff.
- Buncombe County Schools is having optional teacher workdays on Sept. 26 and 27.
- Burke County Schools is having remote learning days on Sept. 26 and 27.
- Cabarrus County Schools will be closed on Sept. 27.
- Caldwell County Schools is having a three-hour early release for all schools on Sept. 26. They will be closed for students and staff on Sept. 27.
- Caswell County Schools will have a remote learning day on Sept. 27.
- Cherokee County Schools is closed on Sept. 26 and 27.
- Clay County Schools is closed Sept. 26 and having a remote learning day on Sept. 27.
- Catawba County Schools is closed on Sept. 27 and an optional teacher workday for teachers.
- Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools is closed for students on Sept. 27 with a virtual workday for teachers.
- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is having a virtual learning day on Sept. 27.
- Columbus County Schools is having a remote learning day on Sept. 27.
- Cumberland County Schools will shift to asynchronous remote learning on Sept. 27.
- Currituck County Schools will be having a district-wide early release day on Sept. 27.
- Elkin City Schools is having a remote learning day on Sept. 27.
- Davie County Schools is having a remote learning day on Sept. 27. All preschool locations will be closed on Sept. 27.
- Durham Public Schools will be closed on Sept. 27.
- Gaston County Schools is cancelling after-school and athletic activities on Sept. 26. They will have a remote learning day on Sept. 27.
- Guilford County Schools will be closed for students and staff on Sept. 27.
- Graham County Schools is having remote learning days on Sept. 26 and 27.
- Haywood County Schools is having remote learning days and optional teacher workdays on Sept. 26 and 27.
- Harnett County Schools is having a teacher workday on Sept. 27. There will be no school for students.
- Henderson County Schools will be closed for students on Sept. 26 and closed for both students and staff on Sept. 27. Thursday will be an optional workday for teachers and staff.
- Hickory Public Schools is having a remote learning day on Sept. 27.
- Jackson County Schools is closed Sept. 26 and 27.
- Kannapolis City Schools is closed on Sept. 27.
- Lexington City Schools is having a remote learning day on Sept. 27.
- Lincoln County Schools is closed on Sept. 27.
- Macon County Schools is having remote learning days on Sept. 26 and 27.
- Madison County Schools is closed for students on Sept. 26 and Sept. 27. They will be having an optional teacher work day on Sept. 26 and an annual leave day on Sept. 27.
- McDowell County Schools is closed on Sept. 26 and 27 with teachers working remotely both days.
- Mitchell County Schools is closed Sept. 26 and 27.
- Montgomery County Schools is closed on Sept. 27 with an optional workday for teachers.
- Moore County Schools is closed on Sept. 27 with an optional workday for teachers.
- Mooresville Graded School District is having a remote learning day on Sept. 27
- Mount Airy City Schools is closed on Sept 27.
- New Hanover County Schools is having a virtual learning day on Sept. 27.
- Newton-Conover City Schools is closed for students with a workday for teachers on Sept. 27.
- Northampton County Schools will have an early release day at noon on Sept. 27.
- Orange County Schools will be closed on Sept. 27.
- Pender County Schools is having a virtual learning day on Sept. 27.
- Polk County Schools is cancelling after-school and athletic activities on Sept. 26. Schools will be closed for students and staff on Sept. 27.
- Randolph County Schools is closed on Sept. 27.
- Richmond County Schools is closed on Sept. 27.
- Public Schools of Robeson County is having a remote learning day on Sept. 27.
- Rutherford County Schools is cancelling after-school events and activities on Sept. 26.
- Rockingham County Schools will be closed for students on Sept. 27 and an optional workday for teachers.
- Rowan-Salisbury Schools will have a remote learning day on Sept. 27.
- Rutherford County Schools will have a remote learning day for students and an optional teacher workday for employees on Sept. 27.
- Stokes County Schools is having a remote learning day on Sept. 27.
- Surry County Schools is having a remote learning day on Sept. 27.
- Swain County Schools is having a teacher work day Sept. 26 and annual leave Sept. 27.
- Stanly County Schools will have a remote learning day on Sept. 27.
- Thomasville City Schools will be closed for students with an optional teacher workday on Sept. 27.
- Transylvania County Schools is having virtual learning days on Sept. 26 and 27.
- Tyrrell County Schools is having virtual learning days on Sept. 26 and 27.
- Union County Schools is cancelling after-school activities on Sept. 26.
- Wake County Schools will be closed on Sept. 27.
- Watauga County Schools is closed on Sept. 26 and 27 for students. They are having an optional teacher workday on Sept. 26. Schools are closed for both students and staff on Sept. 27.
- Wilkes County Schools is closed on Sept. 27 with an optional teacher workday.
- Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools is closed on Sept. 27.
- Whiteville City Schools is closed for students with an optional teacher workday on Sept. 27.
- Yadkin County Schools will be closed for students and staff on Sept. 27.
- Yancey County Schools is closed on Sept. 26 and 27 for students. They are having optional teacher workdays for both days.
Current community college closures and delays
- Alamance Community College will be operating remotely on Sept. 27.
- A-B Technical Community College will be closed on Sept. 27 and 27.
- Bladen Community College will be closed on Sept. 27.
- Blue Ridge Community College will be closed on Sept. 26 and Sept. 27.
- Brunswick Community College will be closed on Sept. 27. Classes will take place remotely where possible.
- Caldwell Community College will close at 5 p.m. on Sept. 26 and remain closed on Sept. 27.
- Catawba Valley Community College will be closed on Sept. 27.
- Central Piedmont Community College will close at 3 p.m. on Sept. 26 and remain closed on Sept. 27.
- Davidson-Davie Community College will operate remotely on Sept. 27. The child development center will be closed.
- Durham Technical Community College will operate remotely on Sept. 27.
- Fayetteville Technical Community College will be closed on Sept. 27.
- Forsyth Technical Community College will operate remotely on Sept. 27.
- Haywood Community College will be closed on Sept. 26 and Sept. 27. Students should check Moodle for specific class information.
- Isothermal Community College will operate on a two hour delay, opening at 10 a.m., on Sept 27.
- Mayland Community College will operate on a virtual schedule on Sept. 26 and 27.
- Mitchell Community College will be closed on Sept. 27.
- Montgomery Community College will be closed on Sept. 27.
- McDowell Technical Community College will be closed on Sept. 26 and Sept. 27.
- Robeson Community College will operate remotely on Sept. 27.
- Rowan-Cabarrus Community College will operate virtually on Sept. 27.
- South Piedmont Community College will be closed the evening of Sept. 26. They will operate remotely on the Sept. 27.
- Southeastern Community College will be closed on Sept. 27. Learning and work will take place remotely where possible.
- Southwestern Community College will be closed on Sept. 26 and Sept. 27 in all locations except the Public Safety Training Center.
- Tri-County Community College will be closed on Sept. 26 and 27.
- Western Piedmont Community College will be closed on Sept. 27.
- Wilkes Community College will close at noon on Sept. 26 and remain closed on Sept. 27.
Are we missing something? Let us know by emailing alindenberg@ednc.org.
Staying safe and alert during severe weather
The following is directly quoted from this press release from the Governor’s Office.
North Carolina residents are advised to stay aware and keep a watch on the forecast. State officials advise these tips to make sure your family is personally prepared:
- Have multiple ways to receive emergency information, including watches and warnings. Make sure emergency alerts are enabled on your cell phone and monitor local new outlets and the National Weather Service.
- Ensure that you have multiple ways to receive warnings, especially with the potential for severe storms to be moving through during nighttime hours.
- Have an emergency plan. Know where you would go if you need to evacuate, especially if you live in a flood prone area.
- Gather emergency supplies or refresh your emergency kit. Visit ReadyNC.gov for info on how to build an emergency kit.
- Never drive through flooded roadways or around barricades. Turn around. Don’t drown.
- Make sure you know where to seek shelter if a tornado warning is issued for your area.
- Check to see if your local emergency management office offers emergency alert services for its residents. You can visit your county government website for more information.
Avoid unnecessary travel. If you do not need to drive, stay home. You can find current roadway conditions by visiting DriveNC.Gov.
