KEY WEST, Fla. – Monroe County Public Schools announced all of the schools and districts’ offices will be closed on Thursday as part of preparations for Hurricane Helene’s impact in Florida.
The district announced the Thursday closures after Helene became a threat in the Caribbean and reported schools are to “remain open through normal dismissal” on Wednesday afternoon.
Local 10 News Weather Authority forecasted a Category 2 hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico will affect conditions in the Florida Keys early Thursday morning.
The forecast warns Helene — a large hurricane with tropical storm winds extending nearly 430 miles — will continue moving north toward Florida’s Big Bend.
The hurricane is set to strengthen into a Category 3 on Thursday afternoon.
The Weather Authority’s hurricane specialist expects landfall between Mexico Beach to the west and Cedar Key to the east.
For more information about Monroe County Public Schools schedule changes, visit this page.