Bulloch County Schools is actively monitoring the progression of Tropical Storm Helene in collaboration with the Bulloch County Emergency Management Agency. As the storm is forecasted to intensify into a major hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico, a Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for our area by the National Weather Service. Helene is expected to make landfall on the Florida coast by Thursday evening.
We urge all families to prepare a contingency plan immediately, in anticipation of potential changes to school schedules. Early preparation can significantly mitigate the impact of any school operation disruptions.
Decisions regarding school operations will be made once more precise local weather forecasts are available, potentially as late as Thursday evening.
Each school will consider its specific circumstances in decision-making. While we are aware of and respect the decisions made by other educational institutions, our actions will be determined independently, prioritizing the safety and well-being of our students and community.
To receive direct text alerts from Bulloch County Schools, please text 'ALERT' to 22300 using the mobile number registered with your child’s school for emergency communications.
Stay informed by following updates from both Bulloch County Schools, Grice Connect or your preferred local news outlet.
NWS Charleston Hurricane Helene Update
Status as of Wednesday, 9/25/24 AM
Tropical Storm Helene is set to intensify into a major hurricane as it progresses north through the eastern Gulf of Mexico, with an expected landfall near Florida’s Big Bend on Thursday evening. It will continue its path north across Georgia overnight into early Friday. Helene is anticipated to expand significantly, affecting areas well east of its core.
Projected Impacts:
Rainfall: Southeast Georgia will see rainfall amounts of 3 to 5 inches, with 1.5 to 4 inches expected across southeast South Carolina. Higher isolated totals could occur west of the I-95 corridor. Peak rainfall is likely Thursday night into early Friday.
Winds: Tropical storm force winds will begin in southeast Georgia and nearby Atlantic waters on Thursday evening, extending to southeast South Carolina and its coastal areas later that night. Wind speeds will peak late Thursday as Helene crosses central Georgia. Accompanying rain bands could bring gusty winds and the potential for tornadoes.
Storm Surge: Coastal areas of southeast Georgia and the South Carolina Lowcountry may experience storm surges of 1 to 3 feet.
Next Update
The Grice Connect team is monitoring the storm. Our next update will be around 1:00 PM Wednesday, September 25, 2024.
Code Red Alert
The City of Statesboro and Bulloch County announced a partnership to implement the CodeRED system, a high-speed emergency notification service provided by OnSolve, based in Ormond Beach, Florida. Public safety officials across the United States have credited CodeRED notifications for saving lives, including locating missing children, apprehending wanted criminals, and issuing timely evacuations.
Click here to add this to your phone now.
Be Alert
Be ready to take action should severe weather develop. Stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio, Grice Connect, Bulloch County EMA, TV or your local news source for the latest information from the National Weather Service.
Click here for updated NWS weather information throughout the day.