Gulf District Schools, Gulf Coast State College to close for Hurricane Ian

Both Gulf District Schools and Gulf Coast State College announced that their local campuses would be closing later this week in anticipation of expected inclement weather associated with Hurricane Ian.

The schools will all be closed on Wednesday September 28 and and Thursday September 29 in order to prevent students from traveling to school in potentially dangerous situations.

“We have been advised by local Emergency Management that we should anticipate tropical storm force winds in excess of 35 mph as well as potential heavy rains, at times, well into Wednesday night,” wrote Superintendent of Gulf District Schools Jim Norton in a press release.  “Considering the fact that our area still has so many dead and damaged trees resultant from Michael several years ago, the expected high winds on Wednesday make it problematic for our buses to legally operate, and Thursday’s closure will be needed to make general assessments.”

” It goes without saying, no one wishes a storm like Ian on anyone, but the good news for our area is that it is expected to go in well south and east of our area, and local conditions should continue to improve throughout the day on Thursday. “

Only Gulf Coast State College’s Gulf/Franklin campus will be closing, the school said in a press release Tuesday morning. GCSC’s other campuses will remain open.