Columbia, SC Declares State of Emergency as Hurricane Helene Approaches

Columbia, SC Prepares for Hurricane Helene

The city of Columbia, South Carolina, is bracing itself as officials prepare for the possible impacts of Hurricane Helene. Governor Henry McMaster has officially issued a State of Emergency, urging residents to take the necessary precautions as the storm approaches our coast. Forecasters from the National Hurricane Center indicate that Hurricane Helene is currently in the Gulf of Mexico and is expected to intensify, aiming for landfall in Florida on Thursday, September 26.

Schools Responding to the Storm

With the storm set to arrive, local schools are taking proactive measures. Many schools have announced cancellations and eLearning days as part of their storm preparedness strategy.

• Thursday, September 26: After-school childcare programs, activities, and adult learning sessions have been canceled.
• Friday, September 27: All schools and administrative offices will be closed, making it an official eLearning day.
• Teachers will post assignments on Google Classroom by 10:00 a.m. for asynchronous learning.
• All extracurricular activities, including sports events, will be suspended until 3 p.m. on Friday.

Parents are also reminded that preparations are being made to ensure students do not miss out on educational activities. Schools plan to send home breakfast with students on Thursday for them to utilize during the eLearning day.

Football Games Rescheduled

In light of the storm, Richland One’s varsity football games that were originally scheduled for September 26 and 27 will now be played on Saturday, September 28. This change allows the teams to safely navigate through the storm’s impacts and resume play once conditions improve.

Library and Community Services Adapt

The Richland Library will also be adjusting its schedule. On Thursday, all library locations will close at 5:30 p.m., with all events and meeting room reservations canceled. Then on Friday, the library plans to reopen at noon, but residents can still access resources and information online in the meantime.

Additionally, all Richland County Government offices will be closed on Friday, but residents can still pay bills and access various services through the county website.

College and University Precautions

Local colleges such as Columbia College and Morris College are also taking precautions. Columbia College will close at 2 p.m. on Thursday, and Morris College will close early at 3 p.m. All classes beginning after 5 p.m. on the 26th have already been canceled, and campuses will remain closed on Friday, September 27.

Looking Forward

Weather predictions suggest that conditions could start to improve by Friday afternoon, paving the way for extracurricular activities to resume as scheduled after 3 p.m. unless stated otherwise by individual schools.

Students who may experience power outages will have five school days to complete any assignments to be counted as present for the eLearning day. Those completing assignments must ensure they are submitted by Wednesday, October 2, 2024.

Final Thoughts

As Columbia gears up for the arrival of Hurricane Helene, it’s clear that the safety and well-being of the community is the top priority. Residents are encouraged to stay tuned for further updates regarding the storm and to have emergency plans in place. Stay safe, Columbia!