Powerful Storm Triggers South City School District Closure

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CA — A “bomb cyclone”-fueled atmospheric river has already triggered the closure of at least one Peninsula school district.

Schools in the South San Francisco Unified School District will be closed on Thursday as a major storm hits the Bay Area, district officials said Wednesday.

Superintendent Shawnterra Moore said in a statement that Wednesday is a minimum day in the district and she encouraged families to pick up their children as soon as possible to be off the roads ahead of the heavy rain expected later Wednesday.

The storm, driven by moisture and winds forming over the Pacific Ocean, is expected to be so strong that the NWS issued a flood watch and high wind advisory for the entire Bay Area.

All extracurricular activity has also been canceled Wednesday and Thursday. Moore said the decision was being made out of an abundance of caution. After school childcare will be available Wednesday for essential workers who cannot take time off, but there will be no childcare available Thursday.

Up to 3 inches of rain is forecast for the area on Wednesday with wind gusts as high as 70 mph.

According to the National Weather Service, saturated soil will make the wind more dangerous as it can uproot trees and cause infrastructure damage.

"People should avoid being outside in forested areas and around trees and branches," the weathersService said as part of its High Wind Advisory. "If possible, remain in the lower levels of your home during the windstorm, and avoid windows. Use caution if you must drive." Schools will reopen for classes on Friday, Moore said.

The district serves students in Daly City, South San Francisco, and San Bruno.

— Bay City News contributed to this report

For updated forecasts visit AccuWeather