News Summary
Winter weather has led to early dismissals and closures across the Carolinas. Schools, government offices, and public transportation are adjusting schedules to prioritize safety as snow and ice create hazardous conditions. Residents are urged to stay warm and cautious on the roads this weekend.
Winter Weather Puts a Chill on Friday Plans Across the Carolinas
As winter weather makes its presence felt, cities across the Carolinas are seeing early dismissals and closures of various institutions. Residents are advised to stay warm and exercise caution on the roads as snow and ice conditions can turn treacherous in a hurry.
Schools Respond to the Weather
In Horry County, Horry-Georgetown Technical College (HGTC) has decided to close its doors early today. The campus will shut down at noon and won’t reopen until Monday. Meanwhile, the Darlington County School District is following suit: all schools will be letting out early this Friday, with afterschool activities getting the axe to ensure everyone gets home safely.
Florence 1 Schools have put in place a plan for Friday. Although students will be dismissed at their usual times, all afterschool activities and the Extended Day Academy have been canceled. The situation is similar across the Florence School District 3 where early dismissals are in order. Lake City Early Childhood, J.C. Lynch Elementary, Olanta Magnet, and Scranton Elementary will be easing out at 11 a.m., while Main Street Elementary will follow closely behind at 11:10 a.m. Other schools are adjusting similarly with dismissals ranging from 11:50 a.m. to noon.
Higher Education Adjustments
Francis Marion University has also jumped on the early closure bandwagon. The campus will close at 2:30 p.m. this Friday, leading to the cancellation of evening activities and Saturday morning classes. Meanwhile, in Dillon County, Dillon School District 4’s elementary schools will let students out at 12:15 p.m., with the older students heading home an hour later. Activity cancellations are also present across the board.
Government Offices and Transit Changes
The weather has caused a ripple effect within local government operations too. Darlington County government offices are shutting down at 12:30 p.m., including the landfill and all trash collection stations. Scotland County’s offices will close at 2 p.m., and like those in Darlington, they will remain closed on Saturday—though emergency services will still operate as needed.
- Pee Dee Public Transit will cease operations early, with Chesterfield and Marlboro County services halting at 2 p.m. The rest of the counties including Darlington, Florence, Dillon, and Marion will follow suit at 3 p.m., while Myrtle Beach Routes will wrap up their pick-ups by 2 p.m.
Safety Measures and Expectations
With the temperatures dropping and roads getting icy, many institutions are prioritizing safety above all else. As part of this, the Public Schools of Robeson County will be dismissing all students at 11:30 a.m. this Friday, ensuring no one is left out in the harsh weather. The afterschool activities will sadly be canceled, and after-school care will be unavailable as well.
Robeson Community College is also shifting gears, moving to remote learning and closing its physical campus starting at 5 p.m. on Friday and will remain shut until 8 a.m. on Monday.
Community Must Stay Vigilant
Scotland County Schools are adopting an early release schedule with students from elementary all the way up to the high school levels receiving staggered dismissals throughout the morning. It’s a coordinated effort to ensure the safety and well-being of students and staff alike.
As the weather does its thing, everyone is advised to stay cozy indoors if possible and prepare for potential delays or complications with travel this weekend. With all these closures and early dismissals, it’s clear that everyone is taking a proactive approach to weather safety. So grab your hot cocoa, bundle up, and stay warm!
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Golf Course Renovations Transform the Game
Join the Fun at the Caddy Day Golf Tournament!
Carly Cummins Discusses Her Golfing Journey and Goals
TGL Golf League Launches with Innovative Technology
Winter Storm Disrupts Travel in Southern U.S.
The Debate on Fair Distribution of Golf Membership Fees
Tragic Police Pursuit Ends in Fatal Crash in North Myrtle Beach
Sunny Myrtle Beach Welcomes the Thaw After a Storm
Orlando: The Ultimate Destination for Golf Enthusiasts
Winter Storm Disrupts Travel Across the South
Additional Resources
- WMBF News: School Closures Due to Winter Weather
- Wikipedia: Winter Weather
- WPDE: Horry County Schools Close for E-Learning
- Google Search: Winter Weather Effects on Schools
- My Horry News: Hurricane Helene Impacts and Closures
- Google Scholar: Winter Weather Impacts
- Myrtle Beach Online: Winter Weather News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Winter Weather
- WBTW: National Night Out Canceled Due to Tropical Storm Debby
- Google News: Weather Related Event Cancellations
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
