Tropical Storm Helene Causes Widespread School Closures in Upstate
Greenville, SC – In the aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene, which has caused severe flooding and damage across the Upstate, many schools and colleges have announced closures and cancellations. The situation remains fluid, and officials are assessing the impact each day.
Greenville County Schools
Greenville County Schools will be closed through Friday, October 4, as confirmed by district officials. The announcement stated that there will be no eLearning and all field trips are canceled. The closures are due to a significant lack of stable power and unsafe transportation routes in the area. Officials noted that widespread power outages, malfunctioning traffic signals, and downed power lines make travel dangerous for students.
The district operates a large transportation network, running approximately 38,000 miles per day on around 10,000 miles of roads. However, many routes remain impassable. “A significant number of routes are blocked, and we must evaluate about 370 individual bus routes,” district officials explained. The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office has also urged residents to stay off the roads whenever possible, to allow first responders and utility crews to perform their work safely.
Plans for Next Week
As for the week of October 7, school officials will evaluate options, which could include eLearning or holding in-person classes. The situation will depend on power restoration, Internet access, safe transportation, and food supplies. District officials mentioned that once power is back, cafeteria food supplies need to be replenished, which takes at least 48 hours.
Other School Districts in the Region
All districts in Spartanburg County have also decided to remain closed until Friday, with no e-learning expected. Meanwhile, USC Upstate announced it would be closed through Wednesday, with classes canceled and non-essential staff working remotely.
Similarly, Spartanburg Community College campuses are closed through Tuesday. In Anderson County, classes have been canceled for Tuesday and Wednesday, and Flat Rock and Iva Elementary Schools are offering charging stations for devices from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on those days along with free meals from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m..
Colleges Responding to the Crisis
Converse University has also canceled classes for the week due to ongoing power issues. University officials have indicated that electricity may not be restored until Wednesday at the earliest. In light of the challenges posed by the storm, the university will maintain modified operations and meal services for students still on campus.
Clemson University has closed its main campus along with its Upstate locations until September 30. The university has opened several facilities for public use, providing power stations, limited food options, and showers for community members.
Wofford College has canceled classes through Wednesday, while Limestone University announced class cancellations for Monday, citing fuel shortages and power outages. Anderson University’s classes are also canceled until Tuesday. The university remains without power and is encouraging students who can safely return home to do so.
Furman University has closed its campus through Wednesday, as electrical issues persist. With many staff members at home facing similar power challenges, the university has canceled all classes and activities for this period.
Finally, Spartanburg Methodist College has called off classes for the week as its fall break starts on Thursday. They are also making arrangements for students to be safe during this difficult time.
The community is urged to stay safe and informed as the situation develops, and updates regarding school operations will continue to be announced.
