Historic rainstorms that swept across the Palm Beaches, Treasure Coast and Okeechobee County last week forced the closure of dozens of public schools and several college campuses. With floodwaters receding and facilities cleared, officials announced that classrooms will reopen on Monday, Nov. 9, allowing students to resume their studies.
Palm Beach County schools resume
Sean Cooley, Chief of Communications for the Palm Beach County School District, confirmed that Washington Elementary School in Riviera Beach will be open for students on Monday. “We look forward to welcoming our teachers, staff and students back tomorrow morning,” Cooley said in a statement released on Sunday, Nov. 8.
Only a handful of schools in Palm Beach County were forced to close last week, as rising water levels inundated parking lots and low‑lying fields. The district’s rapid response teams cleared debris, inspected buildings for safety and restored power to affected sites, enabling a swift return to normal operations.
St. Lucie and Indian River counties follow suit
St. Lucie County Public Schools issued a similar announcement, stating that all district schools will reopen on Monday, Nov. 9. The district’s superintendent emphasized that safety inspections were completed and that transportation routes have been cleared for bus service.
The School District of Indian River County also confirmed a full reopening on Monday. District officials noted that the recent flooding did not cause structural damage to school buildings, and that any remaining water on campus grounds has been pumped out.
Indian River State College campuses ready for students
Indian River State College, which serves students across multiple counties, announced that its campuses in Fort Pierce, Stuart, Port St. Lucie, Okeechobee and Vero Beach will be open on Monday, Nov. 9. College President Dr. James McGowan said the institution’s facilities teams worked around the clock to ensure classrooms, labs and residence halls were safe and functional.
“Our priority is the safety and well‑being of our students, faculty and staff,” McGowan said. “We are pleased to report that all affected campuses have been inspected and are ready to resume instruction.”
Community response and next steps
Parents and community members expressed relief that schools are back in session. Many noted the importance of returning to routine for children after the disruption caused by the floods.
Local emergency management officials continue to monitor water levels and will provide updates if additional weather threats arise. Residents are encouraged to stay informed through the county’s official channels and to report any lingering hazards.
For families needing transportation assistance or who have concerns about school readiness, district offices have set up hotlines and online resources. The districts also plan to conduct post‑flood assessments in the coming weeks to address any lingering infrastructure needs.
Stay informed
Updates on school operations, road conditions and weather forecasts can be followed on the WPBF 25 News app or the official websites of the Palm Beach County School District, St. Lucie County Public Schools, the School District of Indian River County and Indian River State College.
Original reporting: WPBF (Treasure Coast / Hearst) — read the source article.
