Due to Hurricane Helene, which is expected to dump several inches of rain in western North Carolina, school is closed Friday for students. Lee County High School will operate on an optional teacher workday for staff.

Lee County Schools made the decision about 5:30 pm Thursday night. In an email to families and staff, the district said, “due to expected high winds and other potential impacts associated with Hurricane Helene, Lee County Schools will be closed for all students Friday, September 27, 2024. It will be an Optional Teacher Workday.”

Due to the school closure, LCHS’ football game at Hoke County was moved from Friday night to Saturday afternoon. The Yellow Jackets will now kickoff on the road at 1 pm Saturday.

This is the second school day affected by hurricane-like weather this year. In August, schools were closed when Tropical Storm Debbie dumped over five inches of rain on Central North Carolina.

Helene, which made landfall Thursday in Florida, is expected to dump two to three inches of rain on the Sanford area. However, winds are expected to be between 25 and 30 miles per hour in the area.