Some Florida counties to close schools on Thursday

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ETA will bring tropical storm force winds to central Florida

FOX 35 Chief Meteorologist Glenn Richards tracks Tropical Storm Eta.

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL – Several counties in central Florida are announcing that schools will be closed on Thursday, November 12 due to Tropical Storm Eta.

ALACHUA COUNTY

Schools in Alachua County say schools will be closed on Thursday due to the expected impact of Tropical Storm Eta.

They made the announcement on Twitter on Wednesday morning.

DIXIE COUNTY

With Tropical Storm Eta on its current forecast to make landfall in southern Dixie County, all schools in Dixie District will be closed Thursday.

FLAGLER COUNTY

Flagler Schools is working with county emergency managers in response to the weather system’s approach associated with what is now Tropical Storm Eta. School closures are not planned but updates will be posted on the Flager Schools website and Twitter page.

GILCHRIST COUNTY

Due to the potential for tropical storm force winds and unsafe travel conditions, Gilchrist County canceled school for Thursday, November 12. At that time, the district plans to reopen on Friday, November 13.

LAKE COUNTY

Lake County Public Schools announced that schools and district offices will be closed on Thursday due to the threat of high winds and the uncertain timing associated with Tropical Storm Eta. School activities are expected to resume on Friday.

COUNTY OF LEVY

Schools in Levy County will be CLOSED Thursday, November 12 due to Eta and plan to reopen on Friday.

MARION COUNTY

Schools in Marion County also announced that they will close schools on Thursday.

“Based on Wx’s forecast and abundance of caution, school is canceled for MCPS tomorrow (Thursday). Schools are expected to reopen Friday on regular schedules from now on.”

SUMMER COUNTY

Sumter County also announced the closure of schools Thursday due to Eta. All updates will be posted on the district website.

POLK COUNTY

Polk County said it will also close schools on Thursday due to Eta. They said “it would be dangerous to transport students to and from school. The decision to close schools and offices is taken as a precaution, to ensure the safety of our students, parents and employees.”

They expect schools to reopen and operate normally on Friday, November 13.

All other central Florida school districts are open and monitoring Eta.

RELATED: Hurricane Eta: Warnings Issued in Central Florida as State Prepares for Direct Hit

Eta was downgraded Wednesday afternoon to a tropical storm after becoming a Category 1 hurricane earlier in the day. It is expected to traverse northern Florida, affecting Alachua, Dixie, Gilchrist, Levy, Marion, Lake and Sumter counties with tropical storm conditions.

FOX 35 meteorologist Jayme King said Eta is expected to be a very strong tropical storm on land, expected to occur around 7 a.m. Thursday morning.

“The center of Eta is forecast to move closer, but just off the west-central Florida coast this evening, and move inland over the northern part of the Florida peninsula. Thursday, ”the NHC said. “Eta is expected to move northeast into the western Atlantic on Thursday evening and Friday morning.”

TRACK THE TROPICS: Visit FOX 35 Orlando Hurricane Center for the latest news from the tropics, including daily updates, live speed cameras and extreme weather alerts.

FOX 35 chief meteorologist Glenn Richards said tropical storm force wind gusts will be felt across most of central Florida from Wednesday evening. The strongest winds will be west and north of the Orlando metro until noon Thursday.

FOX 35 meteorologist Jayme King said Eta is expected to be a very strong tropical storm on land, expected to be around 7 a.m. Thursday morning. While the western counties of our viewing area will be the hardest hit, other parts of central Florida should be aware of rain, flooding, gusty winds, and the possibility of thunderstorm cells. that could produce a tornado.