Government buildings, schools closed as Hurricane Helene intensifies

MIAMI — As Helene intensified into a hurricane Wednesday before expected landfall in Florida on Thursday, many public buildings and offices began closing their doors to prepare for the storm.
Here is what is open and closed as Hurricane Helene approaches Florida. CBS News Miami will continue updating this list of closures as the NEXT Weather team monitors the storm.
According to the Florida Department of Management Services, 29 of the 61 counties placed under emergency declaration by Gov. Ron DeSantis have announced closures this week:
Due to the impending arrival of Hurricane Helene, the City of Tampa stated all of its offices will be closed starting Thursday to allow city staff “to focus on emergency response efforts as the storm approaches.” Additionally, garbage, recycling and waste collection will be suspended on Thursday for both residential and commercial properties.
These closures are also expected to impact DMV services, according to the Department of Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). However, “some driver license and motor vehicle services are offered by county tax collectors or license plate agents and may not be impacted by the FLHSMV office closures,” the agency noted. For information related to those instances, visit their respective websites.
As of Wednesday afternoon, no road or bridge closures have been announced; however, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is encouraging drivers to download the FL511 app or visit FL511.com to be on alert for potential closures and detours.
Tampa International Airport announced on Wednesday that it has suspended operations due to Hurricane Helene and it will reopen “when safe to do so.”
 For specific agencies operating in your area, visit their websites for the latest updates.
OneBlood, an Orlando-based nonprofit, shared on its website that donor centers and mobile blood drives with its Big Red Bus will end early Wednesday at the following locations:
The Cancer Specialists of North Florida shared on X that their offices in Clay, Fleming Island, Riverside and Northside will all close on Thursday starting at 12 p.m., while their remaining offices will close later that afternoon at 2 p.m.
Due to Hurricane Helene’s intensification, several colleges and universities in its path announced class cancellations and other student-related closures.
Miami-Dade and Broward County Public Schools announced that all schools will be open on Thursday, with all outdoor activities being moved indoors, including afterschool care. All operations remained normal for Wednesday.
On Wednesday night, Broward Public Schools announced all campues will be closed Thursday. This includes before and after-school care, after-school activities, field trips, and evening events and classes.
According to Monroe County Public Schools’ Facebook page, all schools and district offices will be closed on Thursday.
The University of Florida announced Wednesday that offices and classes will be canceled on Thursday, and will reopen on Friday 7 a.m. All academic and student-related activities, including online schooling, will be canceled during this time. UF stated that online students who live in the storm’s path beyond the Gainesville campus should contact their instructors to discuss special accommodations.
Essential UF employees should check with their supervisors regarding scheduling. Also, UF Health hospitals and clinical practices are continuing normal operations, UF noted.
Florida State University announced Tuesday that its Tallahassee campus will be closed starting Wednesday and stay closed until 11 p.m. Sunday. FSU stated it expects to resume normal operations on Monday.
As the University of South Florida monitors Hurricane Helene, it has announced that all classes beginning Wednesday are canceled and will not resume until Monday. Additionally, all USF campuses will be closed beginning Wednesday and will remain closed through at least Friday.
USF also has its own hurricane guide for students and faculty to keep on hand ahead of the storm.
In anticipation of Hurricane Helene, the University of Central Florida stated it will suspend campus operations and all classes, including those online, on Thursday. UCF stated it will continue normal operations through the rest of Wednesday and plan to resume on Friday at 6 a.m.
“We are not depopulating campus,” the university stated.
Starting at 9 p.m. Wednesday, Florida Gulf Coast University will close its campus to all operations, including classes and events. FGCU stated the university will remain closed on Thursday and will announce operational plans for Friday later that afternoon.
On Tuesday, Florida A&M University announced that classes were canceled now through Friday, and that all academic operations will be suspended to accommodate any potential disruptions caused by the storm. The university itself will be closed starting Wednesday and expected to reopen Friday, FAMU stated.
Publix, the Florida-based grocery chain found across the state, stated all its stores are currently open during normal business hours and will provide updates on its online status tool as it continues monitoring Hurricane Helene.
As of Wednesday, Disney World remains open to the public but shared on its website that park officials are “closely monitoring the path of the storm as we continue to prioritize the safety of our guests and cast members.”
Universal Studios also stated its theme parks remain open at this time but Volcano Bay will be closed on Thursday. Officials are also monitoring the storm.