Schools, institutions and companies are preparing for Helene’s impact

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) – Lowcountry school districts are keeping an eye on weather conditions in Helene and announcing changes to their schedules.

A tropical storm warning is in effect for Allendale, Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Georgetown, Hampton, Jasper, Orangeburg and Williamsburg counties. As the storm moves through, tornado warnings appear sporadically.

Here’s a breakdown of the schedule changes announced by districts:

Berkeley County School District

The Berkeley County School District is introducing an e-learning day on Friday. All extracurricular activities and after-school care programs end on Thursday at 6:00 p.m. All schools and offices will remain closed Friday and before and after school care programs will be canceled.

Charleston County School District

The Charleston County School District is implementing an e-learning day on Friday. School and district buildings will be closed.

Kaleidoscope and all other extracurricular activities and extracurricular programs scheduled for tomorrow are canceled, however Friday night high school sports games will take place.

Dorchester District 2

Dorchester District 2 will transition to eLearning on Friday. All Thursday after-school programs and extracurricular activities are canceled.

Dorchester District 4

Dorchester District 4 has canceled all extracurricular activities for Thursday and will move to an e-learning day on Friday. County leaders said they made the decision based on the overnight rain forecast, as well as persistent winds and possible gusts in the early morning hours.

Beaufort County School District

The Beaufort County School District will have an e-learning day and a remote work day on Friday, subject to electrical and internet service. District buildings will be closed. All extracurricular activities are canceled on Thursday and Friday.

Colleton County School District

Update: The Colleton County School District has moved to e-learning as of Friday morning.

Georgetown County

The Georgetown County School District will transition to eLearning on Friday.

Orangeburg County School District

Orangeburg County schools canceled all extracurricular activities on Thursday and announced they would host an e-learning day on Friday.

Other schools

The following individual schools have also announced schedule changes:

• Dorchester County Career and Technology Center: The Dorchester County Career & Technology Center will transition to eLearning on Friday.
• First Baptist School of Charleston: First Baptist School of Charleston is moving back school start date to 10 a.m. Friday for both the James Island and Downtown campuses.
• Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College: Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College has canceled classes beginning Thursday at 5 p.m. The university will be closed on Friday.
• Palmetto Christian Academy: Palmetto Christian Academy is hosting an at-home learning day on Friday.
• South Carolina State University: South Carolina State University canceled classes for Thursday after 5 p.m. The university will operate with a three-hour delay on Friday. Classes begin and offices open at 11:30 a.m. Friday. Essential employees should report on a normal schedule.
• Charleston Southern University: The CSU has switched to eLearning for Friday, and campus offices will remain closed until 10 a.m

Other organizations

• City of Charleston: The City of Charleston has postponed the opening of all city facilities and offices and will not open until 10 a.m. Friday.
• Charleston County EMS: Charleston County EMS is changing operations and will not cross the Ravenel Bridge at this time to respond to calls. They plan to respond to calls as safely as possible.
• Boone Hall Plantation: The Boone Hall Pumpkin Patch will be closed Friday. Boone Hall plans to be open Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and all other days as scheduled. Those who purchased tickets for Friday can use those tickets on any other day the event is open this season. (Boone Hall Fright Nights will be open as scheduled on Friday and Saturday evenings.)
• Charleston City Market: The Charleston City Market night market launch, originally scheduled for Thursday and honoring more than 30 businesses with the Handmade in Charleston award, has been postponed until Oct. 24.
• Charleston County Public Library: The West Ashley branch of the Charleston County Public Library will close Thursday at 3 p.m. All other branches and offices close at 6:00 p.m. The book drop-off and the automatic material return will also remain closed during this time. Visitors are asked not to leave any items outside of the book drop-off area. The branches will reopen on Friday at 11 a.m.
• Charleston County Public Library Board of Trustees: The Charleston County Public Library Board of Trustees meeting, originally scheduled for Thursday, will now be held on October 3 at 5:30 p.m. at the Mt. Pleasant Library.
• Daufuskie Island-Lowcountry Ferry Service: Lowcountry Ferry will close early on Thursday and Friday. The ferry service was closed on Thursday at 1 p.m. The reopening is expected to take place on Friday at 1 p.m.
• Unveiling of the Marion Square fountain sculpture: The Rotary Club of Charleston’s unveiling of bronze artist Scott Penegar’s final Marion Square Fountain sculpture, originally scheduled for Thursday, has been postponed until Oct. 3 at 4 p.m
• North Charleston Police Department: The free Save-a-Life Day Narcan distribution event scheduled for Thursday at Seacoast Church in West Ashley has been canceled. The event will be rescheduled in the future.
• South Carolina Highway Patrol: South Carolina Highway Patrol Training Class 126’s graduation ceremony scheduled for Friday has been canceled.

This is a developing story. Further information can be found here.

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