Charleston County Schools Transition to eLearning Amid Tropical Storm Debby

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Charleston County schools are preparing for the impact of Tropical Storm Debby with an eLearning transition.

News Summary

In response to Tropical Storm Debby, Charleston County Schools will switch to eLearning on September 16. The decision comes as storm warnings are issued, prompting the cancellation of extracurricular activities. Community members are advised to prepare for severe weather conditions, including potential flooding and power outages. City officials are actively rolling out safety measures to protect residents during this challenging time.

Tropical Storm Debby Forces Charleston County Schools to Go Digital

Hey Charleston! As we gear up for the impending Tropical Storm Debby, there’s big news for students and parents. The Charleston County School District has just announced that on September 16, they will transition to eLearning. This is all in response to the Tropical Storm Warning currently in place for our beloved Charleston County.

With the storm knocking on our door, district teachers and schools will be stepping up to provide guidance on how the eLearning process will unfold for Monday. So don’t worry if you feel a little lost—your favorite teachers are here to help! However, parents and students should note that all extracurricular activities, including the Kaleidoscope programs and afterschool events, have been canceled for the day.

Weather Forecast and Warnings

While some severe thunderstorm watches in the Lowcountry may have expired, the impact of those storms has already been felt. Several local counties—including Berkeley, Colleton, Beaufort, Hampton, and Jasper—have reported damage due to severe weather, with potential wind gusts reaching up to 60 mph and hail sizes reported at a range from quarter to golf ball-size.

If you’re a resident of Berkeley County and seeking storm-related information, you can reach out at 843-719-4800. Additionally, if you experience any structural damage, there’s an online filing option available for reporting this. Meanwhile, in Dorchester County, there have been reports of trees falling into homes, but thankfully, there have been no injuries reported.

Power Outages

As of Tuesday morning, our community faces approximately 7,000 power outages split between Berkeley and Dorchester Counties. Dominion Energy has reported 3,186 outages in Dorchester County, while Berkeley Electric Cooperative has documented 3,498 outages in Berkeley County along with around 1,400 outages in Charleston County itself. If your power goes out, here are the numbers you can call to report it:

Berkeley Electric: 1-888-253-4232
Santee Cooper: 1-888-769-7688
Dominion Energy: 1-888-333-4465
Edisto Electric: 1-800-433-3292

Preparations Underway

In a proactive measure, Charleston residents have received more sandbags than during last month’s Hurricane Idalia as part of the preparations for Tropical Storm Debby. The storm has already made landfall in Florida as a Category 1 hurricane and is expected to bring heavy rainfall and strong winds to our area.

City officials are not taking any chances. They’ve warned residents to expect “imminent, life-threatening floodwaters” along with unpredictable flash flooding. The city has rolled out flood mitigation protocols and deployed police and fire personnel ready for action. High-water vehicles are already on standby, and water levels at local bodies like Colonial Lake and Lake Dotterer have been intentionally lowered to help with potential flooding.

Shelter and Safety Measures

For those in need of shelter from the storm, the Charleston County general population shelter is currently open. Mayor William Cogswell has emphasized the seriousness of the situation, estimating that we could see up to 2 feet of rain along with storm surge and high tides. This storm is poised to make its mark, with historic rainfall totals predicted across Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina.

The NOAA’s Weather Prediction Center has issued a Level 4 flood risk for parts of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina from Monday through Wednesday. So, let’s all stay alert, follow the guidance from our local leaders, and keep our families safe!