- April 26, 2024
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After consultation with Flagler County emergency managers, Flagler Schools Superintendent Jacob Oliva has decided to close all district schools and offices and cancel all afterschool activities and extended day programs for Friday, Sept. 2.
The storm was upgraded to a Category 1 hurricane the afternoon of Thursday, Sept. 1. As of 3 p.m., it was about 240 miles southwest of Flagler County, with winds of 75 mph, according to Flagler County Emergency Management. Emergency Management has warned that the storm will likely strike Flagler County with winds of 40-45 mph, but that there may be higher gusts, and there will be a risk of tornadoes Thursday and Friday.
The school district decided to close schools because wind conditions could make it unsafe for buses and parents to safely transport students, according to a Flagler Schools news release.
“This decision is not taken lightly," Oliva said in a news release. "It is done with the guidance and direction from emergency managers and first responders. We must be able to safely transport our students, and that is a major factor in making this call.”
Emergency Management has warned that there
In order to inform parents and guardians, the district will send out automated phone calls and emails advising of the latest school cancellations. Necessary updates will be made to the district’s website at flaglerschools.com as well as to the district's official witter and Facebook pages.
The district expects all normal school operations and activities will resume normal schedules following the Labor Day weekend on Tuesday, Sept. 6. The makeup day will be announced to parents in the next few weeks.
The district encourages families to check the Flagler Emergency Services website at flagleremergency.com for additional weather updates and storm preparedness information.
The Diocese of St. Augustine has also decided to close all area Catholic schools, including the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School in Palm Coast, on Friday Sept. 2, according to a news release from the Diocese of St. Augustine.
Flagler County Emergency Management has urged local residents to secure the exterior of their homes for the coming storm. Taking care of a few things outside may help to prevent storm damage inside the house.
“Wind and rain can indirectly damage your home, but spending some time shoring up your property will lessen the risks,” Flagler County Public Safety Emergency Manager Steve Garten said in a Flagler County news release. “If you have trees that are close to your house, you should check them for weak limbs and branches. Of course, prune back anything that is overhanging a structure.”
The county has released the following tips:
“We urge you to take care of these things now, ahead of any effects of the storm impacting Flagler County,” County Administrator Craig Coffey said in the news release. “It will help us to help you.”
Once the rains have moved through, remember to dump all standing water to keep down the number of mosquitoes.
