News Summary
Myrtle Beach is grappling with significant winter weather, causing widespread school closures and the implementation of remote learning. Horry County Schools has announced e-learning days amid unsafe travel conditions, while several other districts are following suit. Colleges in the region are also shifting to online classes. As the community deals with hazardous weather, a localized emergency has been declared to prioritize safety and adapt to these challenging conditions.
Myrtle Beach Faces Winter Weather School Closures and Remote Learning Days
Winter has certainly made an entrance in the Myrtle Beach area, causing a whirlwind of closures and remote learning days for local schools and colleges. With conditions not looking up, students can expect to swap their classrooms for their living rooms as districts prioritize safety first.
Horry County Schools Adjust Plans
Horry County Schools (HCS) has taken the lead by announcing yet another e-learning day coming up this Thursday, as unsafe travel conditions continue to plague the region. Extracurricular activities and athletic events that were scheduled for later this week have also been given the boot. The district has assured parents and students that those facing challenges, like power outages or lack of internet service, will have the opportunity to catch up on assignments after the storm passes.
Georgetown and Darlington Respond
Meanwhile, in Georgetown County, all schools and facilities will remain closed on Thursday. Parents are advised to keep an eye out for announcements regarding make-up days. Similarly, the Darlington County School District is on the same page, opting for e-learning days on both Wednesday and Thursday, causing a complete closure of all schools and offices.
Dillon School Districts Make Changes
When it comes to Dillon, District Three has announced the closure of all Latta schools on Thursday, with plans to make that day up on February 7. District Four has decided to keep things virtual with an e-learning day in place, rounding off those afterschool activities. Marion County School District students, on the other hand, won’t be attending school as all schools and offices will also be closed through Thursday.
Florence Schools Switch to Remote
Florence School District One is sticking with e-learning on Thursday but has canceled all afterschool activities for the day. Florence School District Two is closing its doors on the same day, meaning a reschedule for all extracurriculars. District Three finds itself in a similar position, with schools staying closed due to hazardous road conditions, while District Five has thrown in the towel, canceling classes and setting a make-up day for February 17.
Scotland and Robeson County Updates
In Scotland County, educators will also be engaging in e-learning on Thursday, and all afterschool events have been canceled. Public Schools of Robeson County is designating Thursday as a remote Teacher Work Day, with all afterschool programs out of the picture.
Colleges Take Precautionary Measures
Switching gears to higher education, Coastal Carolina University is currently holding remote classes, with offices also operating online. Francis Marion University jumped in with a closure on Wednesday, while Coker University transitioned to online classes, planning to work remotely until noon. Horry-Georgetown Technical College will be closing its doors Wednesday and switching to an online learning setup for Thursday, while Florence-Darlington Technical College has announced it will remain closed until Friday.
Emergency Status in Horry County
As the weather worsens, Horry County has declared a localized state of emergency, set to last for 60 days unless revoked sooner. The county is now at OPCON 2 status, working to ensure public safety. The City of Myrtle Beach has also joined the OPCON 2 ranks and will close city offices through Thursday.
Community Impact
Healthcare is not immune to the weather-related disruptions either. Conway Medical Center has reported delays in hospital services due to the winter storm’s impact. Various local government offices, libraries, and community centers are either closed or have adjusted hours to accommodate the hazardous road conditions.
As we navigate this winter weather challenge, the focus remains on keeping everyone safe. Communities are coming together, adapting, and finding ways to ensure that education continues as smoothly as possible, even when the weather may say otherwise.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Winter Storm Warning for Florence Area: Snow and Sleet on the Way
Winter Weather Wreaks Havoc on Florence County Roads
Winter Storm Watch Affects Grand Strand Region
Arctic Blast Expected to Hit Horry County
Winter Weather Warnings Cause School Closures Across the Carolinas
Winter Storm Cora Blankets the South in Snow and Ice
Death Investigation and Winter Storm Engage Florence Community
Florence to Host 2025 Winter Legislative and Community Breakfast
Winter Storm Blair Causes Widespread Disruptions Across U.S.
Polar Vortex to Bring Freezing Temperatures to Texas Next Week
Additional Resources
- WMBF News: School Closures and Delays
- Wikipedia: Winter Weather
- WPDE: School Closings and Delays
- Google Search: Winter Weather School Closures
- WMBF News: Grand Strand and Pee Dee Closures
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Winter
- WBTW: National Night Out Cancelled
