PORTSMOUTH, Va. — Correction: Hampton City Schools is dismissing two hours early on Friday, March 29. An earlier version of this article stated it was for Thursday, March 28. The below article has been updated.
With Thursday's heavy rainfall and the threat of flooding, some school divisions are dismissing classes early.
13News Now has designated Thursday as a "Weather Alert Day". Rainfall rates of up to an inch an hour are possible, and areas with poor drainage could have some flooding and standing water.
RELATED: Widespread rain continues across Hampton Roads; Flood Watch in effect through Thursday night
Heavy rainfall that moves over the same area for a prolonged period will lead to an elevated threat of flash flooding in vulnerable areas. This could lead to travel impacts through most of the day.
Because of this weather risk, the following schools are dismissing early and/or have after-school activities canceled:
Norfolk Public Schools
With continuing rainfall and flooding in some areas of the city, Norfolk Public Schools said its after-school events and activities are canceled for Thursday. After-school childcare programs will close at 5 p.m.
Isle of Wight County Schools
The school division said that due to the weather, all after-school activities are canceled Thursday.
Hampton City Schools
Hampton City Schools said it is NOT dismissing two hours early on Thursday, but said on X (formerly Twitter) that classes will be dismissed two hours early for all students and staff on Friday, March 29, which was a previously scheduled early dismissal day.
Suffolk Public Schools
Suffolk Public Schools are not currently dismissing early. However, all after-school activities, including tutoring and athletics, are canceled.
Portsmouth Public Schools
Portsmouth Public Schools (PPS) said all schools and administrative offices will be on an early release for Thursday, and all after-school events and activities are canceled.
Early release times for PPS are:
- All High Schools - 11:45 a.m.
- All Middle Schools - 12:20 p.m.
- Elementary Group A - 12:55 p.m.
- Douglass Park Elementary (utilizes Middle School Schedule) - 12:20 p.m.
- Elementary Group B (including Churchland Preschool) - 1:30 p.m.
- Preschool Centers - 1:30 p.m.
- New Directions - 12:20 p.m.
School officials also announced Thursday night's School Board Meeting had been canceled.
Northampton County Va. Public Schools
Northampton County Schools on the Eastern Shore will be dismissing early on Thursday. Northampton Middle School and Northampton High School will dismiss at 1 p.m., while the elementary schools will dismiss at 1:30.
All after-school activities are canceled, but the School Board meeting will continue as scheduled.
Additional closings may be found on 13News Now's Closings and Delays alert page.
