GCS Closed Due to High Winds and Ongoing Road Concerns
Update Friday, February 7, 6:45 am
Greenville County Schools will be closed today due to dangerous travel conditions and high winds that could impact the safe operation of school buses.
The GCS Inclement Conditions Evaluation team reported road closures, road flooding, downed trees and power lines during an early morning assessment.
A wind advisory forecasting 15 to 25 mph winds with gusts up to 45 mph was issued at 3:30 this morning by the National Weather Service. The State Department of Education prohibits the operation of buses in gusts exceeding 40 mph. Gusts slightly in excess of 40 mph have already been recorded at Greenville-Spartanburg airport.
Per the approved GCS calendar, this day will be made up on Tuesday, March 24, 2020.
As a reminder, during a closure all planned professional development, training, and events are cancelled, including evening activities such as athletic events, plays, concerts, etc.
Update Thursday, February 6, 5:45 pm:
Due to forecast overnight rain, wind gusts in excess of 30 miles per hour and the potential for additional flooding, Greenville County Schools will operate on a two-hour delay tomorrow, February 7.
The delay will provide an opportunity for our Inclement Conditions Evaluation (ICE) team to make an early morning assessment of road conditions, downed trees, and overnight wind damage.
The ICE team assessment could result in the cancellation of school. A final decision will be made and communicated by 7 a.m.
In a two hour delay, bus routes begin two hours later than normal and schools and offices open to receive students two hours later than usual. There will be no morning classes at GCS Career Centers and The Fine Arts Center.
Update Thursday, February 6, 12:40 pm:
GCS has cancelled all after-school and evening events, athletics and activities for today. Extended Day Programs will operate until 5 p.m. instead of their usual 6 p.m.
Greenville County Schools Inclement Conditions Evaluations (ICE) team is on alert. District leaders are working closely with Emergency Management, monitoring road conditions and wind speeds, and tracking all active weather alerts.
All schools have weather radios. Students are safe inside school buildings. Principals are alerting district officials to any flooding on school property or surrounding roadways.
Because of tornado warnings students will not be travelling from their home high schools to Career Centers or the Fine Arts Center. Any school within tornado warning zones will follow emergency procedure and shelter students and staff.
We will continue to monitor conditions as dismissal time draws near and will re-route any buses scheduled to drive through flooded areas. If conditions are unsafe at the time of scheduled dismissal, students will be held in the building to ensure their safety.
Bus drivers are trained to never drive through flood waters and have radios to stay in communication with our transportation centers.
The most unsafe thing we could do right now, in the midst of tornado warnings and severe thunderstorm warnings, is to dismiss schools. Any parents who believes it safe to drive to the school and pick up their child has the right to do so.