Schools and Universities in Florida Respond to Hurricane Milton

Following the passage of Hurricane Milton, several schools and universities across Florida remain closed while recovery and assessments are conducted. The storm, which caused significant disruptions, has resulted in decisions to extend closures for the safety of students and staff.

In Martin County, schools remain closed as district officials assess damage. Murray Middle School was notably impacted, with video footage shared by the district showing considerable damage. District officials are visiting campuses to evaluate the situation and determine necessary repairs. “It is a sobering reminder of the power of these events,” noted a district representative.

Similarly, Okeechobee County schools will also remain closed on October 11. This closure comes as part of precautions taken following the hurricane’s impact, according to a statement from county officials. They remind parents and students that Monday, October 14, is a Teacher Planning Day, meaning no school for students.

St. Lucie County has closed all public schools and district offices until at least Friday, October 11. The district has established emergency shelters at Fort Pierce Westwood Academy and Treasure Coast High School to accommodate those affected by the storm. Classes are expected to resume on Tuesday, October 15, coinciding with a scheduled Teacher Workday.

Palm Beach County schools and district offices are also closed through Monday. The district expects to reopen on Tuesday, October 15. Additionally, private schools, including Pine Crest and St. Mark’s Episcopal School, are gradually resuming operations, with staggered reopenings planned.

Various higher education institutions have also issued updates regarding their operations. Florida Atlantic University campuses are set to return to normal schedules by Friday, October 11, although assessments at the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute are ongoing. Florida A&M University announced closures at its satellite campuses, with operations expected to resume on Saturday, October 12.

Palm Beach State College has assessed its facilities and declared them safe, planning to resume regular operations from Friday, October 11. At Florida Gulf Coast University, all events and operations remain halted until further notice, while Indian River State College and Palm Beach Atlantic University have likewise extended closures into the weekend.

Lynn University and Keiser University anticipate reopening their campuses for normal operations by the end of the week, despite minimal damage reported. Institutions such as the University of Central Florida, University of Florida, and the University of South Florida are also gradually restoring activities, although cautions about ongoing assessments have been issued.

The decisions to extend closures reflect a cautious approach to student and staff safety amid the extensive impacts of Hurricane Milton, as reported by respective educational boards and administrators across these regions.