These Triangle-area school districts are closing Friday due to Hurricane Helene

Public school districts across North Carolina are canceling school ahead of flooding expected to accompany Hurricane Helene’s arrival.

All public schools in the Triangle will be closed to students and staff Friday, according to announcements posted Thursday evening.

Some colleges are also canceled classes.

What school districts are closed

▪ Wake County public schools will be closed for students and staff, the district announced around 7:30 p.m. All extracurricular activities for Friday are canceled.

No makeup days will be needed, since banked instructional time will be used.

▪ Durham Public Schools made the announcement shortly before 5 p.m., “out of an abundance of caution due to potentially hazardous weather conditions stemming from Hurricane Helene.”

There is no remote learning Friday and all sporting events are being rescheduled.

“Essential personnel should speak directly with their supervisor for specific storm-related plans,” DPS spokesperson Crystal Kimpson Roberts said. “A make-up day will be determined at a later date.”

▪ Orange County Schools sent an announcement to families around the same time.

“Current conditions and the outlook for sustained rain and winds on Friday create the potential for dangerous weather, flash flooding, property damage, and power outages,” OCS spokesperson Kevin Smith said.

▪ Friday was already a teacher workday for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, but staff are directed to work from home instead.

Athletic events and student activities are being postponed.

▪ Chatham County Schools will be closed for students and staff on Friday.

▪ Johnston County Public Schools will be have a remote learning day. After-school activities are canceled.

What colleges are closed

▪ Wake Tech is closing all its campuses Friday and canceling classes typically held in-person. Online classes will continue as scheduled.

▪ Durham Tech is also closed, and staff will hold classes remotely.

This story was originally published September 26, 2024 at 5:34 PM.

Mary Helen Moore

The News & Observer

Mary Helen Moore covers Durham for The News & Observer. She grew up in Eastern North Carolina and attended UNC-Chapel Hill before spending several years working in newspapers in Florida. Outside of work, you might find her reading, fishing, baking, or going on walks (mainly to look at plants).