Hurricane Helene prompts school, business, office closures. Here's what is open and closed during the storm
MIAMI — As Hurricane Helene approached Florida before making landfall Thursday evening in the Big Bend area, many school districts, businesses, and offices closed their doors for the day.
Here is what was open and closed as the storm approached Florida.
School closures
Due to Hurricane Helene's intensification, several colleges and universities announced class cancellations and other student-related closures.
Miami-Dade County
Miami-Dade Public Schools decided to remain open on Thursday. However, all outdoor activities were being moved indoors, including afterschool care.
Broward County
Broward Public Schools closed all campuses on Thursday and were reopening on Friday, the district stated. The closures included before and after-school care, after-school activities, field trips, and evening events and classes.
Monroe County Public Schools
According to Monroe County Public Schools' Facebook page, all schools and district offices were closed on Thursday but were expected to reopen on Friday.
University of Florida
The University of Florida offices were closed and classes were canceled for Thursday and Friday. All academic and student-related activities, including online schooling, were also canceled during this time. UF stated that online students who live in the storm's path beyond the Gainesville campus should contact their instructors to discuss special accommodations.
The university expected to reopen and resume normal operations at 12:01 a.m. Saturday.
Florida State University
Florida State University closed its Tallahassee campus on Wednesday and it will remain that way until 11 p.m. Sunday. FSU stated it expects to resume normal operations on Monday.
In an "abundance of caution," FSU's emergency management team relocated residential students to the Augustus B. Turnbull Conference Center on campus Thursday.
University of South Florida
The University of South Florida canceled all classes for Thursday and Friday. It will resume normal operations on Monday. Additionally, all USF campuses will be closed through at least Friday.
USF also has its own hurricane guide for students and faculty to keep on hand ahead of the storm.
University of Central Florida
In anticipation of Hurricane Helene, the University of Central Florida suspended campus operations and canceled classes, including those online, on Thursday. UCF stated it plans to resume operations on Friday at 6 a.m.
"We are not depopulating campus," the university stated.
Florida Gulf Coast University
Florida Gulf Coast University closed its campus to all operations, including classes and events on Thursday, and planned to be open Friday.
Florida A&M University
On Tuesday, Florida A&M University announced that classes were canceled on Thursday, and that all academic operations were suspended to accommodate any potential disruptions caused by the storm. The university also will be closed Friday.
Students who remained in the dorms have been moved into shelters for the duration of the storm.
Government closures
According to the Florida Department of Management Services, 29 of the 61 counties placed under emergency declaration by Gov. Ron DeSantis have announced closures this week:
- Alachua: Wednesday through Thursday
- Bradford: Thursday through Friday
- Citrus: Wednesday through Thursday
- Clay: Wednesday through Friday
- Dixie: Thursday through Friday
- Duval: Thursday through Friday
- Franklin: Wednesday through Friday
- Gadsden: Wednesday through Friday
- Gilchrist: Wednesday through Friday
- Hamilton: Thursday through Friday
- Hernando: Wednesday through Thursday
- Hillsborough: Thursday through Friday
- Jackson: Thursday through Friday
- Lafayette: Thursday through Friday
- Lee: Thursday through Friday
- Leon: Wednesday through Friday
- Levy: Thursday through Friday
- Liberty: Thursday through Friday
- Madison: Thursday through Friday
- Manatee: Thursday through Friday
- Pasco: Thursday through Friday
- Pinellas: Wednesday through Thursday
- Putnam: Wednesday through Friday
- Sarasota: Wednesday through Thursday
- Suwannee: Thursday through Friday
- Taylor: Wednesday through Thursday
- Union: Thursday through Friday
- Wakulla: Wednesday through Friday
- Washington: Thursday through Friday
Due to the impending arrival of Hurricane Helene, the City of Tampa stated all of its offices would be closed starting Thursday to allow city staff "to focus on emergency response efforts as the storm approaches." Additionally, garbage, recycling and waste collection was suspended on Thursday for both residential and commercial properties.
The closures were also expected to impact DMV services, according to the Department of Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). However, "some driver license and motor vehicle services are offered by county tax collectors or license plate agents and may not be impacted by the FLHSMV office closures," the agency noted. For information related to those instances, visit their respective websites.
Road and travel closures
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) encouraged drivers to download the FL511 app or visit FL511.com to be on alert for potential closures and detours.
All bridges in Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties were closed early Friday morning pending an inspection for storm damage.
Around noon, the Florida Highway Patrol was announced that the southbound lanes of the Howard Frankland Bridge were open, the westbound lanes of the Gandy Bridge were open and the northbound lanes of the Skyway Bridge were open.
The north Siesta Key bridge and the John Ringling Causeway are closed to traffic.
Tampa International Airport has suspended operations due to Hurricane Helene and will reopen "when safe to do so."
For specific agencies operating in your area, visit their websites for the latest updates.
Tallahassee International Airport also closed on Thursday and will reopen when it is safe to do so.
Hospitals and health services
OneBlood, an Orlando-based nonprofit, shared on its website that donor centers and mobile blood drives with its Big Red Bus ended early Wednesday at the following locations:
- Crestview, Florida
- Douglas, Georgia
- Fort Walton, Florida
- Marianna, Florida
- Panama City, Florida
- Pensacola, Florida
- Tallahassee, Florida
- Thomasville, Georgia
The Cancer Specialists of North Florida shared on X that their offices in Clay, Fleming Island, Riverside and Northside will all close on Thursday starting at noon, while their remaining offices will close later that afternoon at 2 p.m.
Is Publix open?
Publix, the Florida-based grocery chain, said stores in affected areas may be adjusting its hours.
Theme parks open
Disney World shared on its website Friday that "Walt Disney World Resort is currently operating under normal conditions."
Universal Studios said Friday that it had returned to normal operations.
