Five local counties cancel classes Wednesday due to expected severe weather

Ware, Pierce, Charlton and Brantley counties in Southeast Georgia and Baker County in Northeast Florida have canceled classes for Wednesday, Feb. 24.

The superintendent of schools in Baker County notified the sheriff's office that schools will be closed Wednesday due to the pending bad weather Tuesday night.

Ware County Schools released the following statement late Tuesday:

"Due to the pending storm expected in our area consisting of severe winds exceeding 60 mph and possible hail between the hours of 4:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. and tornadoes, the decision has been made to cancel school for tomorrow, February 24, 2016. Students will not report to school.

"Faculty, staff, and administration will report at 11:00 a.m. if they can do so safely."

Pierce County School officials confirmed to Action News Jax just before 7 p.m. Tuesday that Wednesday classes were canceled.

Charlton County Schools announced just after 9 p.m. that schools would be closed Wednesday and released the following statement:

"Charlton County Schools will be closed Wednesday, Feb. 24, due to the potential for extreme severe weather in the early morning hours. The safety of our students is our top priority, and the dangerous weather is predicted to be in our area during the time students are being transported to school. Staff will be asked to report to work at 10 a.m."

Brantley County Schools will also be closed tomorrow, according to the Brantley County Sheriff's Department. The Brantley County School System also posted the following statement on its website:

"All Brantley County Schools and support offices will be closed on Wednesday, February 24, 2016 for students and staff due to the threat of severe weather. Classes will resume on Thursday, February 25, 2016."

Baker County Schools have canceled classes as of just after 10 p.m. The Baker County Sheriff's Office posted on its Facebook page that "Superintendent Sherrie Raulerson has notified the Baker County Sheriff's Office that all Baker County Schools will be closed on Wednesday due to the pending bad weather."

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