Severe Weather Forces School Closures Across Southern Regions

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Severe weather on Sunday swept across lower Michigan, leading to widespread damage and power outages that forced numerous school closures in Mid-Michigan on Monday, March 31.

The storms hit the region during the afternoon, with weather advisories indicating severe conditions from roughly 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. The National Weather Service reported multiple instances of downed trees and power lines, primarily affecting Jackson, Kalamazoo, Ann Arbor, and Detroit.

As a result, several school districts announced they would not hold classes on Monday. Among the affected were da Vinci Schools, Hillsdale Community Schools, and Jackson Public Schools, where Jackson High and Jackson Pathways were closed due to power outages. Other districts such as North Adams-Jerome and Webberville also canceled classes.

According to the Michigan State Police, the ice storm not only disrupted school operations but also created hazardous road conditions and sporadic power outages, impacting emergency services. Spokesperson Sgt. Mike Shaw stated, “We encourage everyone to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary and to report any downed power lines.”

Residents and students were urged to stay updated with local news outlets for further announcements about school reopening and restoration of power services. “This situation is fluid,” said Jackson Public Schools Superintendent, Jeff Beal. “We will continue to assess the conditions and communicate any updates as we know more.”

In addition to Michigan, other regions were experiencing severe weather. East Baton Rouge, Louisiana, saw similar school closures due to thunderstorms on Monday, and districts in Memphis, Tennessee, anticipated early dismissals due to potential storms.

As more updates become available, local news stations will continue to provide information regarding impacted areas and any further actions school districts may take throughout the week.