TAMPA, Fla. – As a tropical disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico is expected to rapidly intensify, school districts in the Tampa Bay area are beginning to announce class cancellations due to the projected impacts.

Hillsborough County

Hillsborough County Public Schools will close all schools on Wednesday and Thursday, September 25 and 26, due to fears from the storm. In addition, all extracurricular programs, sporting events and extracurricular activities will be canceled for this Wednesday and Thursday. No decision has been made for Friday at this time.

Pasco County

In a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, the school system said: “All Pasco County schools will be open on Wednesday, September 24th. All extracurricular activities and events will be canceled to prepare for the storm and set up emergency shelters. All Pasco County schools and offices will be closed on Thursday, September 25th.”

Hernando County

The Hernando County School District was the first to announce closures on Monday evening, stating in a Facebook post:

“Hernando Schools will close its schools and district offices on Wednesday and Thursday of this week. All extracurricular activities for Wednesday and Thursday will be canceled. Before and aftercare programs (YMCA and Boys & Girls Club) will not be held on these days.

After we know more about the potential impact of the storm on our community, we will make a decision on reopening schools on Friday.”

Pinellas County

On X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, the school system posted the following: “All PCS and offices will be CLOSED Wednesday, September 25th through Thursday, September 26th. All sports and school activities scheduled for Wednesday, September 25th through Thursday, September 26th are canceled. Sports and activities will take place as scheduled today.”

Citrus area

Citrus County Schools announced Tuesday that schools will be closed Thursday, September 26 and Friday, September 27.

The school district said some of its schools are being used as emergency hurricane shelters and that in preparation for the storm, all schools will be closed after the scheduled half day on Wednesday, September 25.

After-school programs and extracurricular activities are canceled September 25-27. YMCA before- and after-school programs will also follow this schedule.

Manatee County

Schools in Manatee County will be closed on Wednesday, September 25 and Thursday, September 26. All school activities, including athletics, are canceled for Wednesday and Thursday.

A decision about Friday will not be made until the storm has passed, shelters are completed and crews have had a chance to assess the condition of district grounds, the school district said. Find the latest news from Manatee County Schools here.

Polk County

A statement from the school system said: “As the storm progresses, we expect to see rain showers and wind in Polk County between 8 and 10 p.m. Wednesday evening. The current forecast indicates that our county could experience tropical storm conditions Thursday morning through 2 a.m. Friday.”

“As a precautionary measure, we have decided to close all PCPS schools and offices on Thursday, September 26th and Friday, September 27th.

“This decision is based on our commitment to the safety of our students and staff. The uncertainty about the trajectory of the storm requires that we give our teams adequate time to assess the condition of our campuses and facilities to ensure they are safe for reopening.

“We plan to resume normal operations on Monday, September 30.”

To read the full statement, click here.

Diocese of St. Petersburg closes Catholic schools and offices

Due to Tropical Storm Helene

Out of concern for the safety of students, teachers and staff, Bishop Gregory Parkes has called for the closure of all Catholic schools and daycare centers in the Diocese of St. Petersburg due to Tropical Storm Helene. All schools and pastoral center offices will be closed on Thursday, September 26. This also applies to Catholic schools in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando and Citrus Counties.

This decision will give school families and staff time to prepare their homes or leave the area ahead of the storm. Reopening date information has yet to be announced.

Universities

Florida State University

The Florida State University campus in Tallahassee will be closed on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, due to Tropical Storm Helene, which is forecast to be upgraded to a hurricane by tomorrow.

The closure will begin at 7:00 a.m. ET on Wednesday, September 25, and will continue through 11:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, September 29. The university expects to resume normal business operations at midnight on Monday, September 30, 2024. The Marine Lab at Turkey Point will also be closed on these dates. If changes in operations are required at other campus locations, specific communication will be provided.

University of South Florida

The University of South Florida continues to closely monitor Tropical Storm Helene. Based on the latest weather information, the University announced today that all classes will be canceled beginning Wednesday, September 25, and will not resume until Monday, September 30.

In addition, all USF campuses will be closed beginning Wednesday, September 25, and will remain closed through at least Friday, September 27. At this time, the university expects to reopen campuses and return to normal business operations (without classes) on Saturday, September 28. A final decision regarding the operational status for Saturday, September 28, will be communicated to the university community on Friday, September 27.

Residence halls on the Tampa and Sarasota-Manatee campuses will remain open. Residence halls in St. Petersburg will be closed beginning Wednesday, Sept. 25. USF students in St. Petersburg who do not have housing will be shuttled to the Tampa campus.

USF Health clinical sites will be open Wednesday, September 25, and closed Thursday, September 26. A decision regarding Friday, September 27 has not been made at this time. USF Health patients can call the USF Health Appointment Line at 813-821-8038 to reschedule.

Students, faculty and staff are urged to plan carefully, monitor local weather reports and stay alert to updates from district and state emergency management authorities.

Florida A&M University

Florida A&M University (FAMU) states: “Out of an abundance of caution, classes will be canceled beginning at 12:15 p.m. today through Friday, September 27. All academic operations will be suspended to accommodate potential disruptions caused by the storm. All deans and faculty members are asked to work closely with students during this time and provide maximum flexibility.”

FAMU Athletics announced Tuesday that the football team's upcoming game against Alabama A&M, originally scheduled for this weekend, has been postponed due to the impending arrival of Hurricane Helene. The game will be played Friday, November 29, at Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium.

Hillsborough Community College

HCC has announced that its campuses will be closed at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 25 and Thursday, September 26. All afternoon and evening classes are canceled.

University of Tampa

The University of Tampa announced Tuesday that all school activities, events, non-essential operations and classes will be canceled from Wednesday, Sept. 25, through Friday, Sept. 27. Limited activities and services will resume on Saturday, Sept. 28. Campus operations are expected to resume fully on Monday, Sept. 30, officials said.

Saint Leo University

In response to Tropical Storm Helene, Saint Leo University officials have decided to cancel classes and close the following locations from Wednesday, September 25 through Friday, September 27:

University Campus (33701 County Road 52, St. Leo, FL 33574) – the residential and commuter campus in Pasco County

Tampa Education Center (1403 N. Howard Ave., Tampa, FL 33607)

Adult Education Center (University Campus and Pasco-Hernando State College locations)

Students and employees at these locations are not allowed to attend classes or work from September 25 to 27.

This story will be updated with any further announcements from other school districts or colleges.