Columbia County Schools announced that schools will remain closed Friday due to power outages stemming from Hurricane Idalia.
The Columbia County Sheriff's Office says that 55.64% of the county remains without power, though 95% of FPL customers in Columbia and Suwannee counties, whose power can be safely restored, are expected to have power restored by the end of the evening Friday.
The plan is to return to classes on Tuesday following Labor Day.
"All Columbia County Schools will be closed for students and employees on Friday, September 1st, 2023," CCS said in a statement. "This closure is out of an abundance of caution and consideration for the many residents of Columbia County who are still without power and attempting to repair damage to their homes. At this time, we plan to open schools on Tuesday, September 5, 2023. Please continue to work safely in your clean-up efforts."
The Columbia County Sheriff's Office also announced that the Emergency Operations Center is still operating and there are currently only two shelters that remain open — Richardson Community Center and Westside Elementary.