Columbia Area Schools Cancel Classes Due to Hurricane Helene Fallout
Columbia, South Carolina – It’s a tough day for many in the Columbia area as multiple school districts have decided to cancel classes on Monday due to the continuing impact of Hurricane Helene. This decision affects students, parents, and teachers alike who are still grappling with the storm’s aftermath.
Lexington 1 District Takes Precautionary Measures
First up is the Lexington 1 district, which announced that all schools and offices will be closed for the day, declaring that extracurricular activities are canceled as well. In their official statement released on Sunday, district officials noted, “Our area continues to feel the impact of Hurricane Helene.” They acknowledged the struggle many are facing with ongoing power outages affecting both employees and families and even some school facilities.
Unlike last Friday when they shifted to an e-learning day, this week things aren’t looking favorable for digital classes. The district emphasized that due to widespread power outages, e-learning isn’t an option for Monday either. As of Sunday morning, a staggering 904,051 customers statewide were still reporting issues with electricity. The district has advised that another update regarding Tuesday’s schedule will be provided on Monday.
Lexington-Richland 5 Closes for Community Safety
Shortly after, Lexington-Richland 5 announced their closure due to significant damage throughout the community, which includes extensive power and internet outages, blocked roads, and property damage. Just like their neighboring district, all schools and offices will remain closed, and after-school childcare programs and activities will not take place either.
In light of the situation, district officials indicated that they would use February 17, 2025, as a make-up day for hazardous weather, possibly opting for virtual or in-person learning based on upcoming circumstances. “The safety of our students and staff remains our highest priority,” they added, ensuring the community they are taking these precautions seriously.
Richland 1 and Lexington 2 Schools Also Announce Closures
Richland 1 followed suit, confirming the closure of all district schools and administrative offices, citing similar issues with power outages. They have stated that e-learning will not be an option for this coming Monday either, echoing the concerns of other districts regarding the challenges brought on by the hurricane.
Lexington 2’s announcement mirrored the others; they confirmed the cancellation of all activities, emphasizing that both staff and families are affected by damaged homes and trash-blocked routes. They plan to provide updates regarding Tuesday’s schedule in the afternoon.
Further Impacts and Future Plans
Meanwhile, Lexington 4 echoed these sentiments, marking their schools closed due to hazardous road conditions and the ongoing power issues. Their goal is to ensure that recovery efforts can be efficiently carried out to allow for a safe return to school.
On a different note, Newberry School District will conduct an e-learning day on Monday, indicating they are ready to adapt despite the challenges faced. Still, they plan to provide more information regarding the week’s schedule as the situation develops.
In the same vein, Richland 2 stated they have no plans to alter Monday’s schedule, yet this may change based on the evolving situation.
Looking Ahead
Just east, the Orangeburg County School District felt confident enough to reopen their schools and offices on Monday after assessing their facilities. District officials acknowledged the struggles some families might still be facing and urged those in need of support to reach out directly to their schools.
Midlands Technical College has decided to close all campuses for the day, which further emphasizes the ongoing disruption caused by the hurricane.
As the region continues to deal with the after-effects of Hurricane Helene, local officials are committed to monitoring the conditions and offering updates as necessary. They are asking everyone to be patient and cautious during these challenging times.
We’ll keep our fingers crossed for a quick recovery for everyone affected and hope to see normalcy return soon!
