Hurricane Helene Prompts Closures Across Hilton Head Island

Hurricane Helene Prompts Closures Across Hilton Head Island

As the winds pick up and the skies start to darken, the community of Hilton Head Island is bracing itself for the imminent arrival of Hurricane Helene. With meteorologists warning that the worst of the storm will strike Beaufort County beginning Thursday evening and continue through to overnight Friday, many local organizations are stepping up to ensure the safety of residents by announcing closures and delays.

Beaufort County School District Closes Facilities

In a proactive move, the Beaufort County School District has declared that all public school facilities will be closed on Friday. Instead of in-person learning, students will switch to online classes, starting Friday morning. The district had already canceled after-school activities on Thursday, but any events scheduled for Friday afternoon are still on the calendar—for now. Parents are advised to keep an eye on further updates as the storm approaches.

Local Colleges Shift to Online Classes

Technical College of the Lowcountry has announced that all in-person classes will be canceled after 5 p.m. Thursday and throughout Friday. Students can expect to return to regular operations on Monday at 8 a.m. Meanwhile, the University of South Carolina Beaufort is making adjustments too. Classes after 5 p.m. on Thursday have transitioned to e-learning, but all university offices and classes will be operating normally on Friday.

Preschools and Daycares Taking Precautions

Smaller educational facilities are also taking their cues from the incoming storm. The May River Montessori School is closing its doors on Friday, while Lowcountry Day Preschool will close at 2 p.m. on Thursday and remain shut Friday. Other closures include Ivybrook Academy and The Children’s Center, both of which will not be in session on Friday. If you have kiddos enrolled in these programs, make sure to plan alternative arrangements.

Local Businesses and Services Adjust Schedules

Businesses are feeling the impact of Hurricane Helene as well. SliderBar Bluffton will be closing early at 3 p.m. Thursday, while Low Country Shrimp and Knits is also closing its doors by 5 p.m. on the same day. Other closures include Mathnasium of Bluffton, Kids College, and Limitless Pediatric Solutions, all shutting down on Friday.

Court and Waste Management Updates

In legal matters, the Beaufort Magistrate Court will remain open on Friday, although all preliminary hearings scheduled for that day will be rescheduled to October 11, allowing everyone involved a chance to stay safe through the storm.

For those concerned about waste collection, Bluffton Waste Management is advising that their services will continue on Thursday and Friday, but route delays can be expected. Meanwhile, Palmetto Breeze Transit has indicated that Friday routes will be delayed by three hours, though other services will continue as planned.

Stay Safe and Stay Updated

As the community of Hilton Head Island navigates the challenges posed by Hurricane Helene, safety remains the top priority for everyone. Keep in mind that the list of closures and delays will be continually updated as new information comes in. If you have any local business or service updates to contribute, you can email them to the newsroom for inclusion.

Stay safe out there, everyone! Check on your neighbors, keep your emergency kit stocked, and prepare for what’s to come. The storm is bringing some serious weather our way, but together, we’ll weather it out as a community.