After severe flooding prompted St. Lucie Public Schools to announce a closure for Wednesday, Nov. 4, Indian River County Public Schools and district locations will also remain closed that day because travel remains unsafe. Both districts anticipate or hope to reopen Thursday, Nov. 5, while Martin County is still assessing conditions before deciding on its Wednesday schedule.

Indian River County officials said district facilities have been assessed and are operational, but 31 roads are closed and conditions prevent school buses from operating safely. The district continues to work with emergency management officials and will share updates through its social media channels and Live Feed as reopening plans are confirmed.

Martin County schools closed Tuesday, Nov. 3, because of flooding. The district is reviewing flooding impacts and travel safety and said it will announce Wednesday’s schedule as soon as possible after completing its assessment. It acknowledged that families and employees are making plans and said the safety and well-being of students, staff and families remain its priority.

St. Lucie Superintendent Dr. Jon R. Prince said the district’s Wednesday closure decision was made in collaboration with local law enforcement and in consultation with the Emergency Operations Center and the National Weather Service. School resource officers are supporting efforts on local roadways, and the district has opened a shelter at a school site for families displaced by flooded homes. Prince urged families and employees to stay off flooded roads.

Prince also addressed keeping schools open Monday, saying the decision was based on information received Sunday evening and early Monday morning from the Emergency Operations Center and the National Weather Service. As rain continued Monday, the district called bus drivers in early and asked parents to leave work to pick up or meet their children. Prince apologized for the stress families and employees experienced and thanked staff, drivers and security teams who helped care for students and get people home.