In the interest of student and staff safety, and based on the most recent severe weather information, Okaloosa schools will be closed on Friday, March 18th.
- According to the Okaloosa County School District, the most recent weather update this afternoon showed an increase in severity.
“We have been advised by Emergency Operations Director Patrick Maddox with Okaloosa County that as of 1:00 PM, the National Weather Service update from Mobile now indicates an Enhanced Risk of severe weather for Okaloosa County on Friday, upgraded from Slight Risk,” wrote the OCSD in a press release.
According to the National Weather Service, the main threats with an Enhanced Risk are:
- Possibly strong tornadoes
- Damaging winds up to 70 mph
- Large hail up to golf ball size
“The Storm Prediction Center has added an uncommon Level 3 (out of 5) enhanced severe weather risk for much of south Alabama and northwest Florida valid on Friday,” said Spinks Megginson, RedZone Weather. “This higher risk zone is driven by the growing potential for tornadoes, some of which may be significant tornadoes.”
The Okaloosa School District says that while morning travel to school is not expected to be significantly impacted by the weather, the actual school day and after school transportation on school buses would pose a significant safety concern for students and staff given the latest weather information.
School will resume Tuesday, March 29.