All after school activities in Duval, Clay, St. Johns and Glynn counties have been canceled Thursday afternoon due to a severe weather forecast.
The cancellations include:
- All athletic events and practices
- Extended day programs
- Team up and other after school programs
- After school arts programs
- Clubs and any other extracurricular activities
- Parent events
- Community meetings
- Alternative certification professional development classes
At the conclusion of normal school hours, students who are bus riders will be placed on the buses to bring them home, according to the Duval County Public Schools district.
Related: Current weather conditions, advisories and forecast
Students who are not bus riders will be held at school until approved individuals arrive to drive or escort children home, the district said. Parents and guardians are asked to make plans for the care of their children once they arrive to their bus stops or, for non-bus-riders, at the conclusion of normal school hours.
The University of North Florida and Florida State College at Jacksonville have also cancelled all classes and campus activities beginning at 4:30 p.m. UNF residence Halls and campus shuttles will continue to operate as normal.
The City Rescue Mission homeless shelter at 234 W. State Street in Downtown Jacksonville has also announced it is adding beds and welcoming anyone who needs a place to stay tonight.
Sulzbacher is also opening up temporary sleeping areas in its dining rooms and library areas in addition to its regular areas. Women and families seeking shelter from the storm can go to Sulzbacher Village at 5455 Springfield Blvd. and men go to Sulzbacher’s Downtown Campus at 611 East Adams St.
Florida Public Radio Emergency Network meteorologist Ray Hawthorne said heating of the day and very strong winds through the atmosphere will foster an environment that is favorable for a gradually strengthening squall line as a front moves through a larger portion of North and Central Florida during the afternoon and nighttime hours.
Jacksonville is expected to see the worst of the weather between 8 and 11 p.m., according to Hawhorne.
WJCT News partner News4Jax is reporting possible isolated tornadoes and frequent lightning is also possible tonight.
Hail is unlikely but an isolated brief tornado can’t be ruled out, especially over southern Georgia, according to News4Jax Meteorologist Mark Collins.
Bill Bortzfield can be reached at bbortzfield@wjct.org, 904-358-6349 or on Twitter at @BortzInJax.
Contact reporter Cyd Hoskinson at choskinson@wjct.org, 904-358-6351 and on Twitter at @cydwjctnews.
