Hurricane Irma: Douglas County Schools Announce Schedule

DOUGLASVILLE, GA -- The Douglas County School System has announced it will be closed Monday and Tuesday in anticipation of the high winds and heavy downpours Hurricane Irma will dump on Georgia as it enters the Peach State. The system will be closed to all students and staff, including those on a 240-day calendar, Sept. 11-12.

"The safety of our students, staff and community is always our first concern," the system said in a message posted on its website. "Please take every precaution and stay safe during this high wind and rainy weather event."

Along with Douglas County, all metro Atlanta school systems have announced plans to close: Bartow, Cartersville, Cobb, Atlanta, Clayton, Decatur, DeKalb, Fulton, Forsyth, Gwinnett, Paulding and Marietta.

Douglas County spokesperson Wes Tallon also said the Courthouse will be closed Sept. 11-12 on a judicial order by Judge David Emerson.

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).

Watch: Hurricane Irma Officially Arrives In Florida

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 by clicking here to get details on hurricane preparedness.

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