Greenville County Schools Close Due to Hurricane Helene
Greenville, South Carolina – In response to the severe flooding and impact brought about by Hurricane Helene, Greenville County Schools have decided to close for the entire week, extending their closure until Friday, October 4. This decision was made as officials assessed the lack of stable power and safe transportation routes necessary for in-person learning.
According to a statement from the district, all schools and offices will be closed to the public, and there will be no eLearning available. All field trips scheduled during this time have also been canceled. The district will evaluate upcoming activities, including athletics, and announce any decisions on Wednesday.
The closure is due to widespread power outages, traffic signals not functioning, and numerous downed trees and power lines, making travel unsafe for students and staff. With district buses covering approximately 38,000 miles daily across 10,000 miles of roads, many routes are currently impassable. Greenville County officials have urged residents to stay off the roads as much as possible to allow first responders and utility crews to work safely.
Other School Closures in the Region
Several other educational institutions in the area are experiencing similar closures. Spartanburg County schools are also closed through Friday, with no eLearning expectations in place. Converse University has canceled all classes and activities for the week, while USC Upstate and Wofford College have both announced cancellations through Wednesday.
In Anderson County, schools have closed on Tuesday and Wednesday, though Flat Rock and Iva Elementary are providing charging stations and free food to support those in need from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. during this time.
Clemson University has also shut down its main campus and all statewide locations, opening facilities like Littlejohn Coliseum for community use. Furman University is set to remain closed until at least Wednesday as the campus continues to face electricity challenges.
As Hurricane Helene continues to impact the Upstate, officials from various educational institutions are keeping close tabs on conditions and will continue to update the public regarding any changes in schedules or operations.
