By: Christina Norris

Several schools in Georgia are either closing or delaying start times this week due to its heavy rains and flash flooding. The storms produced damage in areas east and west of Atlanta last Sunday. The school districts that were affected released statements announcing their close or delay. 

An “Important Message” on Harris County School’s website reads, “Due to extended severe weather warnings for parts of Harris County, and due to yesterday’s and last night’s severe storms, the Harris County School will cancel all school operations for Monday, March 27. Thank you for your understanding and support.”

In a Facebook post, Lamar County Schools announced, “We have been closely monitoring weather and road conditions throughout the day. Lamar County remains under a flood watch through Monday. Many roads in Lamar County have been compromised from heavy rain. More severe weather and rain is predicted tonight and early tomorrow morning.

Out of an abundance of caution, all Lamar County Schools will be closed Monday, March 27th,, for all students and staff. NRegularschool hours will resume Tuesday, March 28th.

We apologize for the inconvenience. Stay safe.”

Meriweather County School Officials sent the following statement to Channel 2 Action News. 

“Due to the threat of inclement weather and continued flooding from the current storm front, all Meriwether County Schools will be closed on Monday, March 27, 2023. This storm front is predicted to produce more heavy rain through midday on Monday, March 27, 2023. Meriwether County bus routes service 580 miles of dirt roads, some with low-lying bridges, which become hazardous in these weather scenarios. There are already reports of hazardous roads and bridges. The school system will continue to monitor this inclement weather situation and provide further updates if required.”

On its live feed, Monroe County Schools posted, “Due to overnight weather conditions, Monroe County Schools will operate on a delayed start schedule for Monday, March 27, 2023. Staff will report at 9 a.m. All schools will begin at 9:30 a.m. Please allow plenty of time and use caution when driving to school in the morning.”

A follow-up post from Monroe’s live feed reads, “School buses will run 1.5 hours later than usual on Monday, March 27, due to the delayed start for all Monroe County schools.”

In a Facebook post, The Muscogee County Schools announced, “Based on the latest weather advisories predicting severe weather for the Columbus area tomorrow morning, including the possibility of tornadoes, the Muscogee County School District will observe a two-hour delay. This means that whatever time the respective school starts will be delayed by two hours. Should any further adjustments to the schedule be necessary, it will be announced prior to 7:00 a.m.

Please Note:

• As of now, all after-school activities will continue.

• Breakfast will not be served.

• All district employees will report to work at 10:00 a.m.

Please monitor the weather, district website, and social media for updates.”

In a Facebook post, Pike County Public Schools announced, “Due to severe weather and flooding in the area, school is cancelled for today. 240-day employees and Central Office staff report at 10:00 a.m., if possible.”

Troup County Schools initially planned to resume school as usual but eventually canceled school on Monday, March 27th. This cancellation was announced in the following Facebook post. 

“UPDATE 8:19 p.m.

TCSS Faculty, Staff, Students, and Families,

Based on new information within the last hour from the Troup County EMA, there will be more heavy rainfall overnight and the potential for flooding. TCSS has now decided to cancel school for Monday, March 27, 2023.

All TCSS employees should report to work tomorrow as safely as possible unless they are affected by the recent storms. If school district employees have issues getting to work based on the weather, they should contact their supervisor.

Please be safe!

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Attention: IMPORTANT TRANSPORTATION MESSAGE

All Troup County Schools and Departments will be open and operate as normal on Monday, March 27, 2023.

All pickup times will remain the same for students attending West Point Elementary, the Long Cane schools, and Troup High School.

However, for students within the affected area on West Point Rd., an alternative pickup location (Bus #0368) Monday morning for West Point Elementary and Long Cane Middle school students will be in front of the old West Point High School next to the West Point Parks and Rec / Point University Gym off Highway 29.

For students in the affected area on West Point Rd. attending Troup High School, the pickup location Monday morning will be at West Smith Road and Highway 29 (Bus #0798).

If any high school students are at the shelter at Point University Gym, the pickup location will be at the old West Point High School next to the West Point Parks and Rec / Point University Gym off Highway 29 and board Bus #0368.

We are hoping to resume normal drop-offs for students Monday afternoon. If not, parents and guardians will be notified by school principals through SendIt, the Troup County School System notification system.”

In a Facebook post, Thomaston-Upson County Schools announced, “All Thomaston-Upson Schools will be closed today – Monday, March 27. After thoroughly assessing road conditions in Upson County, we have determined that school closure is the best solution to ensure that our students and staff remain safe. We will reopen on Tuesday, March 28. (This information went out in a phone call and text to parents and staff at 6 AM via our automated call system: If you did not receive notification, please check your settings in your Infinite Campus Parent Portal to ensure you have the correct phone number entered there and that you have opted in for messages. If you have not set up your parent Infinite Campus account, then please contact your child’s school or visit the Parent Section on our district website for directions on how to do this.)”

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