Severe weather expected from Hurricane Helene – including the risk of flooding, strong winds and downed trees – has forced school systems throughout the North Georgia region to close for the remainder of the week.
Habersham County School System is among nine other public school systems that will close this week, Superintendent Matthew Cooper announced just after 5 p.m. Wednesday.
“Widespread catastrophic flooding is expected starting tomorrow,” Cooper said. “Numerous downed trees and power outages are also possible. Due to these significant factors, all schools will be closed for students and staff…we urge everyone to use extreme caution if driving over the next two days.”
School closings
Thursday, Sept. 26 & Friday, Sept. 27
- Athens Technical College
- Banks County
- Franklin County
- Gainesville
- Habersham County
- Hall County (digital learning available)
- Hart County
- Lanier Technical College – all campuses
- North Georgia Technical College
- Rabun County (virtual learning days)
- Stephens County
- Tallulah Falls School
- Towns County (virtual learning days) – 12 mos. employees report Thursday
- Trinity Classical School
- Truett McConnell University
- Union County (at-home learning days)
- University of Georgia – main campus and Gwinnett / all activities canceled
- University of North Georgia – all campuses
- White County
Other area schools:
Elbert and Madison County Schools will dismiss students at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday and will be closed on Friday, Sept. 27.
Athens-Clarke County, Barrow County, Commerce, Jackson County, Jefferson, and Oconee County schools will operate on a regular schedule Thursday, but all after-school activities are canceled. Schools will be closed on Friday, Sept. 27.
For non-school-related closings in Northeast Georgia, click here.