Fearing severe weather, Beaufort County schools, offices modify schedules for Tuesday storm

Sarah Haselhorst
·2 min read

With incoming severe thunderstorms predicted to rattle Beaufort County, Beaufort County School District buildings are closed Tuesday and schools will shift to an eLearning and remote workday, according to the state’s Department of Education.

The Department of Education cites “weather conditions” as the reason for the one-day, in-person closure of all county schools. Riverview Charter School, in Port Royal, is the only school closed with no eLearning option, according to the department’s site Monday afternoon.

Extracurricular activities and after-school programs scheduled for Tuesday are canceled, the Beaufort County School District’s Facebook noted.

“We have many factors to consider, especially tomorrow’s projected high-winds that prohibit the safe travel of school buses,” the district’s Monday Facebook post read.

On Tuesday, severe thunderstorms, bringing rainfall, lashing winds and the potential for tornadoes will impact the county throughout the day and into the evening, according to the National Weather Service.

NWS’ Charleston Office said between 1 and 7 p.m. has the highest threat of severe thunderstorms for the area. South winds, predicted to whip from 25 to 35 mph, could damage trees, cause widespread power outages and disrupt travel, particularly on elevated surfaces.

Beginning at 6 a.m. Tuesday, Beaufort County will remain under a high wind watch until 10 p.m. As of Monday afternoon, tornado probability sat between 10% and 14%, according to the NWS.

Greatest impacts summary for incoming storm Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024.
Greatest impacts summary for incoming storm Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024.

Other county closures/adjustments Tuesday

Beaufort County Convenience Center

On Wednesday, these locations will open:

  • Bluffton: 104 Simmonsville Road

  • Hilton Head: 26 Summit Drive

  • Shanklin: 80 Shanklin Road in Beaufort

  • St. Helena: 639 Sea Island Parkway

  • Cuffy: 152 Cuffy Road on St. Helena

  • Sheldon:208 Johnson Road in Seabrook

All convenience centers will open Thursday for regular business hours.

Hilton Head Island Town administrative offices

Normal business operations will resume at 8 a.m. Wednesday, according to a Facebook post. The Town Council’s Finance and Administration Committee, which was scheduled for 10 a.m. is canceled. A later reschedule date has not yet been announced.

Daufuskie Island Ferry

The ferry is not scheduled to stop its trips. However, the captain and vendor can adjust the schedule based on conditions, said county spokesperson Hannah Nichols.

Board of Voter Registration and Elections of Beaufort County

The satellite office in Bluffton at the Myrtle Park Government Center, 4819 Bluffton Parkway, is closed Tuesday and will reopen for normal business hours Wednesday.