Rock Hill, Fort Mill schools begin school year amid Tropical Storm Debby

YORK COUNTY, N.C. — The morning commute for the first day of school was anything but normal for some teachers and students in York County Thursday morning.

Channel 9 was at the Rock Hill Schools Headquarters where they made the decision to continue on with the first day of school despite effects from Tropical Storm Debby.

Rock Hill Schools sent out a statement this morning on their decision to remain open.

Fort Mill schools made the same decision.

A release from the school district said, in part:

“Before the wind advisory was issued after 6 a.m. yesterday, the forecast did not predict conditions that would cross the safety thresholds for travel. While heavy rains were anticipated, rain alone does not constitute a travel hazard under our guidelines. Following the advisory, we transitioned into active monitoring, continuously checking wind speeds with the National Weather Service and monitoring for flooding or road blockages. We did not encounter wind speeds or widespread road conditions that required us to halt bus operations, and we completed the day safely without incident.”

To see their full release see the bottom of this article.

Severe Weather Center 9 tracked rain as it moved into the Rock Hill area. By about 7 a.m. about 3 inches had already accumulated We saw a lot of the effects throughout the morning over on Kings Drive, where at one point multiple trees fell onto the roadway.

One of those trees smashed a car.

Many parents were not happy with the decision of school staying open.

“There’s so much flooding,” mom Rachel Ramsey said. “I said to my husband, it’s not worth it. Don’t let the 17-year-old drive himself to school.”

Josh Burke with Fort Mill Schools said the district monitored wind gusts this morning.

“The winds were 20 miles an hour well below that threshold where we would stop operating school buses,” Burke said. “Once that advisory came out after our buses were on the road already after six this morning, we transitioned to a different protocol.”

The issues on the rod lasted throughout the morning.

“Good Morning FMSD Parents and Staff,

We would like to provide additional information regarding our decision to proceed with the regular schedule on the first day of school yesterday. Please be assured that the safety of our students and staff is our highest priority, and we take all potential severe weather conditions very seriously in our decision-making process.

Our Decision-Making Process:

Whenever there is a forecast of possible severe weather in our area, our district administration collaborates closely with York County Emergency Management, the National Weather Service, neighboring school districts, and, when necessary, the State of South Carolina. We base our decisions on the most current forecast available. If, prior to a school day, the forecast predicts conditions that make travel unsafe, such as icy roads, sustained winds exceeding 30 mph, gusts over 45 mph, or flooding, we will cancel school and notify you before 6 a.m.

Once school buses are on the road, our approach shifts to active monitoring. We continuously assess weather and road conditions to ensure they do not reach levels deemed unsafe for travel. Should such conditions arise, buses will be instructed to stop and remain parked until it is safe to proceed.

Regarding Yesterday’s Decision:

Before the wind advisory was issued after 6 a.m. yesterday, the forecast did not predict conditions that would cross the safety thresholds for travel. While heavy rains were anticipated, rain alone does not constitute a travel hazard under our guidelines. Following the advisory, we transitioned into active monitoring, continuously checking wind speeds with the National Weather Service and monitoring for flooding or road blockages. We did not encounter wind speeds or widespread road conditions that required us to halt bus operations, and we completed the day safely without incident.

About Wind Speed Thresholds:

We have received questions regarding the wind speed thresholds of 30 mph sustained winds and/or 45 mph gusts. These thresholds are established by the South Carolina Department of Education as part of the guidelines for operating school buses and were revised on August 4, 2024. These levels have been rigorously tested to ensure buses are not operated under unsafe conditions. If the forecast predicts winds reaching these levels, we will not operate buses. If these winds are reported while buses are in transit, they will be instructed to park safely and shelter in place until it is safe to continue.

Please know that the safety of our students, parents, and staff is of utmost importance. We would never place anyone in harm’s way if travel conditions were unsafe.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigated yesterday’s weather. We would also like to thank our transportation department specifically  for their efforts in managing the severe weather safely, as well as all of our staff that made it a great first day of school. We are excited to begin this school year and look forward to a successful and safe year in Fort Mill.

The Fort Mill School District

A tree also blocked a school bus from being able to get by and pick up kids for school around 6:30 a.m.

That same street then saw major flooding from a nearby creek. The man who ls in the home where those trees fell says flooding like this has been a problem in the area for decades.

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TRACKING DEBBY: School districts cancel first day of classes while others monitor conditions

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