Pasco County Schools To Close During Severe FL Storms

PASCO COUNTY, FL — Pasco County schools and district offices will be closed Tuesday as a strong low-pressure storm system moves across Florida starting Monday night.

All school activities, including extracurricular events, are also canceled Tuesday, Pasco County School District said in a news release.

The worst of the weather — possibly producing heavy rains, strong winds, tornadoes and hail — will affect the greater Tampa Bay area Tuesday afternoon into the evening and overnight and will likely cause flooding along the coast, according to the National Weather Service’s Tampa Bay office.

• Also Read: Tornadoes, Flooding Expected As Strong Thunderstorms Hit FL

Closing the school is a “tough decision … made out of an abundance of caution to ensure the safety of our students, staff and community members returning home from class tomorrow afternoon,” the district said. “The safety of our students is our top priority, and the forecasted high winds pose a significant risk, especially for bus transportation. These conditions are not conducive to the safe operation of our school buses, as high winds can severely impact their stability and overall road safety.”

Pasco County Schools said it will evaluate how the closure impacts state requirements for instructional time and how that might be made up.

Schools will reopen Wednesday, which was scheduled as an early release day but will now be a full day of instruction because of Tuesday’s closure, the district said.