UPDATED: Okaloosa County Schools to close early Wednesday amid severe weather alert

Collin Bestor, Northwest Florida Daily News
Updated ·1 min read

Editor's note: The story has been updated to reflect the Okaloosa County School District's change from a one-hour early release to a two-hour early release on Wednesday.

NICEVILLE — Due to the possibility of severe weather, the Okaloosa County School District has announced that schools will close two hours earlier than normal on Wednesday, April 10.

A table refrences the release times of all Okaloosa County School District schools due to the potential for severe weather.
A table refrences the release times of all Okaloosa County School District schools due to the potential for severe weather.

The district said in a release: "After further communication with Okaloosa County Directory of Public Saftey, Patrick Maddox, this modification is to ensure our students and employees have plenty of time to arrive home safely."

According to the National Weather Service, Okaloosa County has an enhanced risk of severe weather, with impacts beginning around 2 p.m. on Wednesday. The forecast warns of destructive wind gusts up to 80 mph, potential EF-2 tornadoes and quarter-sized hail.

Schools have begun the day as normally scheduled. Toward the end of the day, each school will dismiss students and faculty two hours earlier than usual.

After-school activities, including extracurriculars, daycare and tutoring, are canceled.

The district expects all schools to resume normal operations on Thursday, April 11. Future updates can be found on the district's website and social media channels.

This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: Severe weather alert: Okaloosa County Schools to close early Wednesday