Pasco schools to close Tuesday because of weather; Pinellas, Hillsborough remain open
Pasco County School District officials announced on Monday afternoon that they were closing all schools on Tuesday because of expected bad weather. Pasco-Hernando State College also announced all campuses would be closed Tuesday.
As of late Monday afternoon, officials in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties said schools would be open Tuesday, though they urged parents to keep an eye out.
“Principals will monitor the weather at their individual school sites for any possible changes to dismissal procedures as the weather in one part of the county can be very different from other areas,” Hillsborough officials said in a statement. “We will continue to collaborate with county officials and if there are any changes, we will notify all families.”
Forecasters expect flooding, an inch or so of rain, winds of up to 60 mph, hail and even possible tornadoes as rough weather gets pushed into the Tampa Bay area ahead of a cold front starting Tuesday afternoon.
Forecasters have compared the weather system expected on Tuesday to one that hit the area in December, causing flooding to homes and businesses.
“This tough decision is made out of an abundance of caution to ensure the safety of our students, staff, and community members returning home from class tomorrow afternoon,” Pasco officials said in a news alert. “The safety of our students is our top priority, and the forecasted high winds pose a significant risk, especially for bus transportation.
“These conditions are not conducive to the safe operation of our school buses, as high winds can severely impact their stability and overall road safety. We understand that this decision may cause inconvenience, and we appreciate your understanding and support as we prioritize the safety of our students and staff.”
Pasco officials said they expect school will resume normally on Wednesday.
“Due to the closure, Wednesday will be a full day of instruction,” the news alert states.
Pasco-Hernando State College also said normal operations were expected to resume on Wednesday.
