Tracking Helene: Florida schools, universities announce closures as state preps for major hurricane

As Helene, expected to make landfall in North Florida as a major hurricane, continues to churn off the state’s coast, many schools are making the decision to cancel class at the end of the week.

>> Track Helene: Latest maps and models

Use the list below to see up-to-date school closures in Central Florida and other areas.

Citrus County Schools

Citrus County will close schools Sept. 26-27.

School will continue as previously scheduled as a half-day, on Wednesday, Sept. 25.

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Lake County Schools

Lake County schools and district offices will be closed on Thursday. After-school activities on Wednesday, Sept. 25, will continue as planned.

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University of Central Florida

UCF announced on Tuesday that it will suspend campus operations and all classes, including online classes, on Thursday, Sept. 26.

Normal operation will continue through 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25 with operations resuming at 6 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 17.

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Florida A&M University

Classes at FAMU are cancelled beginning on Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 12:15 p.m. through Friday, Sept. 27.

The campus itself will be open until 5 p.m. on Tuesday, but will close Wednesday through Friday. Weekend activities such as Fall Preview, the home football game and Family Weekend will be rescheduled, the university said on Tuesday.

>> Where to find sandbags in Central Florida

Florida State University

FSU’s campus will close on Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 7 a.m. due to Helene, the university announced on Tuesday. The campus will remain closed until 11 p.m. on Sunday.

Orange County Public Schools

All OCPS school will be closed Thursday, Sept. 26.

Any decision to close schools on Friday, Sept. 27 will be determined by the impact on Orange County and the timing of the storm.

Osceola School District

Osceola School District schools will be closed on Thursday, Sept. 26, for Tropical Storm Helene.

Polk County Public Schools

All PCPS schools and offices will be closed Thursday, Sept. 26, and Friday, Sept. 27.

Seminole County Public Schools

Seminole County Public Schools will be closed Thursday, Sept. 26. There will be no extracurricular activities, sporting events, or other school-based activities. This also includes KidZone & Beyond and 21st Century childcare services.

The district said it anticipates school being in session on Friday, Sept. 27.

Sumter County Schools

All Sumter County schools wills be closed on Thursday, Sept. 26 and Friday, Sept. 27, the district said on Tuesday.

Volusia County Schools

VCS will cancel all after-school activities, except for Extended Day Enrichment Programs, on Wednesday, Sept. 25.

Schools and district offices will be closed on Thursday, Sept. 26.

Friday’s operations, including after-school programs, remain unchanged at this time.

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>> WESH 2 will continue to monitor school closures and adjust this list as necessary.

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