Gov. DeSantis says school will start on time despite Hurricane Debby
WUSF | By Danielle Prieur | August 6, 2024
The hurricane that made landfall in Northern Florida is expected to bring severe flooding to the state.
Governor Ron DeSantis said he expects the flooding risk in North Central Florida to continue for the next few days, following Hurricane Debby. But the governor said this will not delay the first day of school for kids in the state.
“We’re not going to put people in an unsafe environment,” DeSantis said during a press conference in Steinhatchee, and that “getting kids in school is a must. So the school year is going to start on time.”
The first day of school varies by county in Florida, but most will start class on Monday, August 12.
The governor said Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie has a plan in place to avoid using schools as shelters for people displaced by flooding in their homes.
“We’re not going to be using those schools to house folks who may be displaced over the next couple weeks. So they’re already working on how are we going to help shelter folks if they need temporary shelter, while we also have kids in school and everything keeps going,” DeSantis said.
Hurricane Debby made landfall in Northern Florida on August 5, killing five people and leaving risks for flooding in Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas.
Know your first day of school? Check your district below.
Brevard County: August 12
Flagler County: August 12
Marion County: August 12
Orange County: August 12
Osceola County: August 12
Polk County: August 12
Seminole County: August 12
Volusia County: August 12
