Pinellas County Schools Releasing Kids Early

CLEARWATER, FL — Pinellas County Schools has announced that it is letting classes out an hour and a half early Monday as Tropical Storm Colin bears down on Florida.

“After care programs will remain open, but parents are encouraged to pick up their child early if possible,” the district wrote on its Facebook page Monday.

Students who normally ride buses will be provided bus rides home early, the district said. All evening classes and after-school activities have been canceled.

For updates, parents may visit www.pcsb.org.

The closing was announced shortly after Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency across several Florida counties, including Pinellas.

See Also:

• Tropical Storm Colin Edges Closer To Florida

As of Monday at 11 a.m., forecasters at the National Hurricane Center placed the storm about 285 miles west-southwest of Tampa. The storm is anticipated to arrive in the Big Bend area in the afternoon or evening hours Monday.

Tropical storm warnings have been issued from Indian Pass to Englewood. The storm’s maximum sustained winds were near 50 mph Monday morning with little change in strength expected during the day Monday.

While the Tampa Bay area is expected to escape a direct hit from the storm, forecasters are bracing for heavy rains, increased tornado risk and the potential of high tides 1 to 3 feet above normal in the region. The entire Tampa Bay area has also been placed under a flood watch until 8 a.m. Tuesday.

Photo from the National Weather Service Facebook page