Okaloosa County Schools will be closed Thursday, Oct. 8, and Friday, Oct. 9, as Tropical Storm Isaias approaches the northern Gulf Coast, the Okaloosa County School District announced Wednesday afternoon.
The district said the closures are due to the anticipated weather conditions and evacuation protocols. The decision is meant “to alleviate additional roadway pressures and to provide our families and school district employees with sufficient time to make the necessary arrangements in preparation for the storm,” the district wrote in its 1 p.m. update.
Monday, Oct. 12, is a scheduled Teacher Workday. Classes are expected to resume Tuesday, Oct. 13, according to the district.
What the district says to expect
Weather experts expect the area to experience high winds, storm surge, flash flooding and the potential for tornadoes beginning as early as midday Friday, according to the district.
“This system is expected to make landfall as a high-end category 1 or 2 along the northern gulf coast on Friday evening or Saturday early morning,” the district wrote.
School district officials said they remain in close communication with Okaloosa Public Safety Director Patrick Maddox as they monitor the storm.
Shelters
The Okaloosa Public Safety Department will open shelters as needed, with the possibility of using one of the district’s schools as a shelter, according to the update.
Events and athletics
Schools will communicate directly with families regarding any school events, extracurricular activities or athletic events that may be impacted, the district said.
The district said it will continue to monitor the storm and provide updates as needed through text messages and callouts, as well as on its website and social media channels.
Tropical Storm Isaias forms in the Gulf, forecast to rapidly strengthen
Tropical Storm Isaias formed Wednesday and is expected to become a hurricane by Thursday, with hurricane watches likely for part of the northern Gulf Coast.
