Hurricane Irma: Cartersville, Bartow Schools Make Decisions On Classes

CARTERSVILLE, GA -- The Bartow County and Cartersville City school systems have announced they will cancel classes and close their doors on Monday and Tuesday, as Hurricane Irma is expected to dump tropical storm-force winds, inches of rain and bring down trees and power lines as it moves across Georgia.

Both systems will be closed Sept. 11 and Sept. 12 due to the expected inclement weather. Also announcing it will be closed is Georgia Highlands College, which said it will cancel classes on all of its campuses for Monday, Sept. 11 and Tuesday, Sept. 12.

"The totality of all available weather information and predictions has been taken into consideration in making this decision as a precaution in the interest of safety for all our students," Cartersville City Schools said on its Facebook page, adding that it's also rescheduled the Sept. 11 school board meeting to Sept. 18. "We wanted to make this decision and inform you as soon as possible so appropriate plans can be made. Please stay safe for the next two days in light of the weather conditions. We do plan to reopen on regular schedule on Wednesday."

Watch: Hurricane Irma Officially Arrives In Florida

Gov. Nathan Deal has expanded the state of emergency to included all 159 counties in the state (SIGN UP: Get Patch's Daily Newsletter and Real Time News Alerts. Or, if you have an iPhone, download the free Patch app).

Hurricane Irma is sending strong winds and rain across southern Florida and expected to hit Georgia as a tropical storm Sunday night, but its westward jog has lifted some of the pressure off the Savannah area, where some mandatory evacuations were eased.

Hurricane Irma continues as a major hurricane, centered less than 100 miles southeast of Key West, Florida. Official National Hurricane Center track has Irma crossing the Lower Florida Keys early this morning and then tracking up the west coast of Florida this afternoon through Monday morning. Irma should move inland over the Florida panhandle and southwestern Georgia by Monday afternoon.

SEE ALSO:

• Hurricane Irma Preparedness Kit: What You Need To Pack
• Hurricane Irma Live Updates: Millions Flee Florida, Pets Left To Die, Landfall On Sunday

Irma will remain a powerful hurricane as it approaches the Florida Keys and moves up the west coast of Florida. As Irma moves into Central Georgia, portions of the watch area can expect tropical storm force winds beginning late Sunday night. During the day Monday, the greatest impacts will be felt with winds increasing to 40 to 50 mph with gusts as high as 70 mph along and east of the center of the storm track.

Because of the wet spring and early summer, the projected wind speeds will easily bring trees down across the area which will also lead to widespread power outages. Isolated tornadoes will be possible, especially over portions of east central Georgia. Residents should be prepared in some cases to be without power for several days and stock up on supplies accordingly. Tropical storm force winds are expected to move out of the area late Monday night.

Residents are encouraged to visit the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency website here to get details on hurricane preparedness.

Image via Patch