As the Wilmington area and the rest of Southeastern North Carolina went under a tropical storm warning, local school districts took different approaches to the school day, some of which have caused frustration among parents.
Brunswick County Schools announced early Monday that schools would be closed for the day, while New Hanover County Schools and Pender County Schools continued a normal schedule up until about mid-morning.
New Hanover County Schools announced that schools would be let out two hours early, with Carolina Beach Elementary closing effective immediately as many roads on Pleasure Island were underwater. Pender County Schools announced that it would operate on an early release schedule. Both districts canceled all after-school activities.
The decision not to close schools didn’t sit well with some parents.
Tropical updates for Wilmington: As flooding concerns increase, power outages rise
What’s flooded: Heavy rains have flooded streets across the Cape Fear region
Pine Valley Elementary parents Lori Sorensen and Jamie Zeman said they both went to get their children around 10:30-11 a.m. as conditions were getting worse.