Several Midlands schools changing plans with severe weather in Tuesday’s forecast

Multiple Midlands school districts are changing plans for Tuesday with severe weather in the forecast.

Severe winds reaching speeds of 45 mph and rain are predicted for Midlands.

Lexington-Richland 5 officials said the district cannot operate school buses when wind gusts meet or exceed 40 mph, resulting in all L-R 5 schools transitioning to an e-learning day on Tuesday. All after-school programs and athletic events are canceled or will be rescheduled.

Lexington 1 schools are shifting to e-learning, according to a text message sent to parents Monday morning. All after-school activities and sports are canceled.

Lexington 2 said its schools will also move to e-learning out of “an abundance of caution,” according to a news release. Additionally, all afternoon and evening activities are canceled for Tuesday, including athletic events, extracurricular activities, after-school programs and adult education classes.

Lexington 3 announced on social media that its students will be asked to complete assignments remotely from the safety of their home as it switches to an e-learning day because of the weather forecast. All after-school events, games and practices are canceled.

Lexington 4 is also switching to an e-learning day for all schools.

Richland 1 said it will also shift to e-learning and that Tuesday will be a work-from-home day for employees. All schools and administrative buildings will be closed, and all after-school activities, including sports events, are canceled. That includes the Richland 1 school board meeting.

Richland 2 officials said on social media that the district will switch to an e-learning/remote work day on Tuesday, meaning all school buildings and district facilities will be closed and all after-school activities will be canceled. The Richland 2 school board meeting is also postponed. The board will instead meet on Jan. 16.

Gray Collegiate Academy also announced it is switching to an e-learning day, and teachers will post assignments by 9 a.m. Tuesday.

Sumter School District officials said on social media that in addition to switching to an e-learning day, schools and office buildings will be closed, and all activities, including athletic events and field trips, are canceled.

Kershaw County School District announced on social media that Tuesday will be an e-learning day.

Saluda County Schools said on social media that they will operate on an e-learning day on because of the potential of powerful wind gusts, severe thunderstorms, localized flash flooding, and possible tornadoes, and all sporting/school events and practices are canceled.

Orangeburg County School District will move to e-learning and remote work for students, faculty and staff. Because of the risk of fallen power lines and trees, Orangeburg County schools will open with a two-hour delay on Wednesday.

Midlands Technical College officials said that campuses are closed, and classes are cancelled Tuesday. A normal schedule is expected to resume Wednesday.