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Concerns about possible severe weather Wednesday have led Upper Cumberland school systems to close Wednesday.
“It’s really for the safety of our students and for our teachers and staff and administration,”
Communications Supervisor Buddy Pearson as Putnam County Schools will be closed Wednesday. Pearson said the director of schools spent time Tuesday in contact with Putnam County Emergency Management to discuss options. Pearson said Wednesday’s weather does not appear to be a line of storms that moves in and out.
“The potential for severe storms, including damaging winds, large hail tornadoes, exist all day Wednesday and into the overnight hours,” Pearson said. “And I think because there’s that possibility that’s going to go on all day, there’s just too much unknown. So why risk it?”
Joining Putnam County in closing Wednesday: Clay, Cumberland, Dekalb, Fentress, Jackson, Overton, Pickett, Van Buren, Warren, and White.
Cumberland County Director of Schools Billy Stepp said the unpredictable nature of Wednesday’s forecast also led him to the decision.
“The severe weather forecast has created a sense of concern throughout our region and county,” Warren County Director of Schools Grant Swallows said.
Pearson said Putnam County had snow days remaining from the winter. He said the school system believed a closure would be easier on parents than a delay.
Two rounds of severe weather are possible Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. Heavy rains may be the biggest concern during the morning with large hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes a possibility Wednesday evening. The region has been place in a moderate risk by the Storm Prediction Center.
EDITORS NOTE: Avoid the weather hype. Stay with News Talk 94.1, Lite Rock 95.9, 106-9 Kicks Country and the stations of Stonecom Wednesday for weather information you can trust. Solid, factual information from Meteorologist Rob Carolan, the Upper Cumberland’s ONLY local team of meteorologists. Keep your NOAA Weather Radio, your AM/FM radio and your streaming device powered.
