Columbia Prepares for Hurricane Helene with School Closures and E-Learning Shift

Empty school corridor with hurricane preparedness signs.

Columbia Braces for Hurricane Helene’s Impact

As Hurricane Helene gains strength and tracks north toward South Carolina, residents in the Midlands are preparing for severe weather that includes heavy rain and strong winds. The storm is expected to hit the Columbia area on Friday, leading several school districts to alter their schedules and plans for the day.

What You Need to Know

According to the National Weather Service, heavy rainfall and gusty winds generated by Hurricane Helene pose hazardous travel conditions. In response, many educational institutions will close their doors on Friday and transition to e-learning for students.

School Closures and E-Learning Days

Richland School District 1 announced just before 10 a.m. on Thursday that all schools and administrative offices will be closed on Friday. Instead of in-person classes, students will participate in e-learning activities. District officials emphasized the safety of students, citing the severe weather forecast.

“Heavy rainfall and high wind gusts from Hurricane Helene are expected to impact the Columbia area Friday,” Richland 1 officials stated.

All after-school activities and events originally set for Friday, including the College and Career Expo, have been canceled. Along with those cancellations, varsity football games scheduled for Thursday and Friday have been pushed to Saturday. The revised schedule includes a match between Dreher and Camden at Memorial Stadium at 11 a.m., and A.C. Flora taking on York at 4:45 p.m.

Actions by Other Districts

Richland 2, Lexington-Richland 5, Lexington 1, and Sumter School Districts are among institutions taking similar steps. They will also close schools and move to e-learning days. Officials across the districts remarked on the continuing monitoring of Hurricane Helene’s impact and confirmed that additional announcements may follow.

Richland 2: Closed schools and administrative offices, shifting to e-learning.
Lexington-Richland 5: Schools closed with an emphasis on e-learning.
Lexington 1: Schools transitioning to e-learning by Friday, ending extracurricular activities involving travel before 3 p.m.
Sumter School District: All students and staff will learn virtually, with a plan for rescheduling affected events.
Kershaw County: Making the same shift to e-learning and closing school buildings.
Orangeburg County: Canceling after-school activities and moving to a virtual learning format.

Colleges and Universities Respond

Higher education institutions are also adjusting their operations. The University of South Carolina is implementing virtual classes from 5 p.m. Thursday through Friday, while Midlands Technical College will close all campuses. Clemson University will shift their evening classes online and provide updates on Friday operations later.

Community Preparedness

As Hurricane Helene nears, families are encouraged to prepare for potential power outages and hazardous conditions. Local emergency management officials continue to work closely with weather services to monitor the storm’s trajectory and impact on the region.

With various districts opting for e-learning days, many families are urged to check in with their respective schools for specific instructions on assignments and possible changes due to inclement weather.

In summary, as Hurricane Helene approaches South Carolina, Columbia and surrounding areas are taking proactive measures to ensure the safety of students and staff. Adjustments to school schedules, events, and overall preparedness reflect the seriousness of the situation as the storm develops.