TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Schools will close in multiple Tampa Bay area counties ahead of the oncoming storm.
Citrus County
On Tuesday, Citrus County School District announced that schools will be closed on Thursday, September 26, and Friday, September 27.
Wednesday's schedule will proceed as planned with a half-day. This will allow officials to prepare to use some school buildings as emergency shelters.
Hardee County
The school district will remain open as normal on Wednesday but will be closed on Thursday due to Helene and plans to reopen on Friday if the weather permits a safe return.
Hernando County
The Hernando County School District announced Monday it will be closing all schools and district offices on Wednesday and Thursday ahead of the expected storm.
All after-school activities, events, Boys & Girls Club, and The Y will also be canceled, the school district said.
On Monday, the National Hurricane Center began issuing advisories for Potential Tropical Cyclone 9.
The system is expected to become a hurricane on Wednesday as it enters the Gulf of Mexico and could become a Category 2 or 3 Hurricane before impacting Florida.
Highlands County
The School Board of Highlands County will close schools on Thursday, Sept. 26.
Additionally, schools will have a "two-hour release school day" on Wednesday, Sept. 25.
Schools will operate as normal on Friday, Sept. 27.
Hillsborough County
Hillsborough County Public Schools will close all schools on Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 25 and 26.
All after-school programs, athletics, and extracurricular activities are canceled for this Wednesday and Thursday as well.
Manatee County
Manatee County Schools will be closed Wednesday and Thursday ahead of Helene, the district announced. All school activities, including athletics for Wednesday and Thursday, have also been canceled.
A decision regarding Friday will not be made until after the storm passes and shelter operations have concluded.
Pasco County
The Pasco County Schools announced they will be closing all schools on Thursday as they open five schools as emergency shelters.
Schools will be opened as scheduled on Wednesday, and plan to reopen schools on Friday depending on the impact of the storm.
All after-school activities and events will be canceled to prepare for the storms and set up shelters on Wednesday and Thursday.
ASEP/PLACE programs will continue as usual on Wednesday but will be canceled on Thursday.
Pinellas County
Pinellas County schools will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday.
All after-school sports and activities are canceled.
Diocese of St. Petersburg
The Diocese of St. Petersburg is closing all of its Catholic schools and early childhood centers ahead of Tropical Storm Helene. The closures include locations in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando, and Citrus counties.
Polk County
Polk County schools will be closed on Thursday and Friday.
Schools will remain open on Wednesday. However, there will be no after-school activities after 6 p.m.
Operations are expected to resume as normal on Monday.
Sarasota County
Sarasota County schools will close at the end of the day on Tuesday to allow officials to prepare buildings to serve as storm shelters.
It is not known when schools will reopen.
Additionally, the New College of Florida will be closed Wednesday through Friday, Sept. 25-27.