CMS among several school districts to cancel classes after severe storms hit region

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By Elsa Gillis

CHARLOTTE — The rain has moved out Friday morning -- a much-needed relief as many begin cleaning up from Thursday’s severe weather.

[ FORECAST: Gusty, strong winds could hamper storm damage cleanup efforts ]

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools announced around 7:30 a.m. that all schools across the district will be closed on Friday because of high winds and about a dozen schools without power.

Statement from CMS:

“Changing conditions overnight, including power outages at a dozen schools, impacts of continued strong winds and road conditions across the county, have created unsafe driving for school buses and students getting to schools. All CMS practices and games, as well as school events and after-school activities, are canceled. CMS staff has been in contact with local authorities throughout the morning to assess conditions in Mecklenburg County. The make-up day will be Monday, Feb. 17.”

Many more districts were also closed or on a delayed start.

[ UPDATES: Delays & Closings ]

Delays/Closings:

  • Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools: Closed
  • Anson County Schools: Closed
  • Chester County Schools: Closed
  • Union County Schools: Closed
  • Stanly County Schools: Closed
  • Cabarrus County Schools: Closed
  • Rock Hill Schools: Closed
  • Fort Mill Schools: Closed
  • York County Schools: Closed
  • Alexander County Schools: 2-hour delay
  • Avery County Schools: 2-hour delay
  • Cleveland County Schools: 3-hour delay
  • Burke County Schools: 2-hour delay
  • Caldwell County Schools: 2-hour delay
  • Catawba County Schools: 2-hour delay
  • Lincoln County Schools: 2-hour delay
  • Cherokee County Schools: 2-hour delay
  • Kannapolis City Schools: 2-hour delay
  • Gaston County Schools: 2-hour delay
  • Iredell-Statesville Schools: 2-hour delay
  • Watauga County Schools: 2-hour delay
  • Hickory Public Schools: 2-hour delay
  • Ashe County Schools: Closed on Friday due to flu outbreak

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Schools dismiss early in anticipation of inclement weather

Several school districts in the area dismissed classes early Thursday as strong storms pushed through the region.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools did not dismiss classes during the height of the storm because officials said parents and students would be much safer in school buildings.

Many of the district reps that education reporter Elsa Gillis kept in contact with said they were constantly monitoring conditions in advance and that decisions were made with student safety top of mind.

In many cases, students were told to shelter in place as storms blew through.

Officials acknowledged that they know these decisions can be difficult for families.

They also said the call to dismiss classes is not easy, because weather changes quickly.

Hickory Public School told Gillis they dismissed early after reports from city officials that roads were closing, and they wanted to make sure everyone could get home safely.

However, they didn’t expect the closures to happen so early in the day.

Kannapolis City Schools and Rowan-Salisbury Schools are two of the districts that announced early dismissal but had to pull back for a bit and kept students sheltered inside as the tornado warning passed.

A Lancaster County Schools representative told Gillis they decided to dismiss early and that they had been warning parents throughout the week via social media about severe weather.

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