Ware County has delayed the scheduled start of school Thursday, August 8 in the wake of the expected arrival of the remnants of Hurricane Debby early Tuesday morning, August 6.
The delay was announced in a statement released Sunday afternoon, August 4, that also said the system was closed for all staff Monday and Tuesday.
“Open House, scheduled for Tuesday evening, August 6, and the first day of school for students, scheduled for Thursday, August 8, will be delayed,” the statement read. “We will continue to assess the situation as Debby makes landfall and use all available resources to determine when we can safely resume pre-planning, host Open House, and kick off the new school year for students.”
Pierce County announced Sunday it had pushed back Monday’s scheduled start tentatively to today (Wednesday, August 7). Brantley County, which was scheduled to open Tuesday, announced Monday it hoped to begin classes for students Thursday.
With anywhere from eight to 12 inches predicted for the area, flooding and road conditions were the concern after Debby exited the area. The area went under a flood warning Monday until further notice, the National Weather Service said.
(see DEBBY, Page 4A) The Satilla River in Waycross was at 11.6 feet at 8:45 a.m. Monday. It was expected to crest just above flood stage (16 feet) sometime today before likely rising to 16.6 feet Thursday and possibly higher Friday, the NWS said.
Administrative offices for Waycross and Ware County were closed Monday. Waycross announced a delayed opening Tuesday for City Hall while county offices wouldn’t reopen until today.
Debby made landfall in the Big Bend region of Florida early Monday morning with her outer bands showing in the area with rain and wind before dawn Monday and continuing throughout the day. Heavy downpours between late morning and early afternoon prompted the closing of businesses, restaurants and other establishments.
According to the weather website wunderground.com Waycross received 3.7 inches of rain between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday (August 5). Of that total, 1.6 inches fell between 11:35 and noon.
Highest wind gust during the three-hour window was 44 mph at 10:35 a.m., when sustained winds ranged from the upper teens to mid-20s. Another gust of 39 mph was recorded at 12:55 p.m.
