Anticipated Weather to Impact Normal Operations in Upstate
In view of the unfolding events surrounding Hurricane Helene’s path, educational districts around the Upstate area are making calls on their operational stands. With a flood watch in place through Friday afternoon, schools and colleges have been deliberating on cancellations and pitching for e-learning.
Local School Districts Respond
According to the latest information available, District 7 will continue as usual on Thursday, but following a cancellation of all after-school activities, it will adopt an eLearning Day on Friday. While all activities for District 7 remain canceled for Friday as well, there is still a sliver of hope for the Viking football team fans as the district will keep reviewing the storm.
For District 4 and District 2, eLearning Instructions will be adopted on Friday, with varsity football game decisions coming out by 2 p.m. that day. Spartanburg School District 1 will also be moving to eLearning on Friday, it revealed on its Facebook page.
Greenville County Schools opting for eLearning for Friday, announced that its decision was taken in light of the possibility of sustaining winds 30 mph or above, or frequent wind gusts over 45 mph.
Anderson County School District Three will also be observing eLearning Day on Friday, their Public Information Officer Dylan McCullough stated. All Anderson County schools will open as usual on Thursday, McCullough added.
University Response on the Horizon
Limestone University in Gaffney has chosen to cancel classes on both Thursday and Friday. Faculty and staff offices will also be shut. Incase Limestone experiences a power outage, students are instructed to gather in the Hines & Riggins Center where a backup generator exists. Additionally, Limestone’s Homecoming Parade and Presidential Inauguration scheduled for Friday and Saturday, are postponed and canceled respectively.
Meanwhile, Clemson University’s Office of Emergency Management is monitoring Hurricane Helene closely. Significant impacts of the storm are expected on Thursday causing heavy downpours and high wind gusts. University advises its students to ensure they have signed up to receive CU Alerts.
Other Affected Entities
It’s not just universities that have had to examine their courses of action, Anderson University’s operations are unaffected for now, and more information about the storm will be available after their next emergency response meeting.
The City of Clemson’s Mayor, Robert Halfacre, too stated that the City is monitoring Hurricane Helena and is prepared to deal with problems like debris removal, potential flooding, and power supply in case of blackouts.
At a finer level, Anderson School District One’s statement reflects a similar sentiment as they declared continuously tracking the storm’s progress. No classes or after school activities have been canceled at this point, but more meetings are to be held as they stay in touch with the Anderson Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and the National Weather Service.
As the situation develops, these choices will most likely be updated. Anticipating the potential impact is still uncertain, and decisions on class cancellations or switches to eLearning will largely depend on the likelihood of disruptions.
In Summary
The on-record statements of school districts and universities reflect a situation under continuous evaluation. Whether it’s halting operations completely or transitioning to virtual mediums, one thing is clear: the region is practicing best caution and taking the necessary measures to ensure the safety of students and staff alike.
