HIGHLANDS COUNTY, FL — Up north, students get snow days, but here in Florida, heavy rainfall and flooding are keeping students out of the classroom. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency following widespread flooding, while all Highlands County schools will be closed Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
According to the School Board of Highlands County, heavy rainfall has left several roads and bridges impassable, while multiple neighborhoods are experiencing power outages.
The closure includes all Highlands County public schools, classes taken at South Florida State College, and Highlands Virtual School.
School officials said the decision was made out of an abundance of caution due to the possibility of additional rainfall and concerns for student and staff safety.
Meanwhile, Governor Ron DeSantis signed Executive Order 26-227 on Monday, November 2, declaring a state of emergency following several days of heavy rainfall and significant flooding across portions of Florida.
According to the executive order, flash flood warnings were in effect Monday afternoon for portions of Brevard, DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Indian River, Martin, and St. Lucie counties.
State officials warned that flooding could affect major highways, local roadways, schools, airports, and other critical infrastructure.
The School Board of Highlands County said transportation officials will assess all school bus routes Tuesday to determine whether road conditions are safe for transportation to resume.
The district will continue coordinating with Highlands County Emergency Management and local authorities. Additional updates will be provided to families through text messages, Facebook, the district’s app, and its website.
SOURCE: HIGHLANDS COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICES, GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS PRESS RELEASE
