Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) – Due to unprecedented winter weather conditions and ongoing safety concerns, Orange Beach City Schools and Baldwin County Public Schools have announced changes to their schedules. Orange Beach City Schools will remain closed on Thursday, January 23, 2025, with updates on Friday's reopening pending further assessment. 

Meanwhile, Baldwin County Public Schools will stay closed for the remainder of the week, citing freezing temperatures, road conditions, and the need for facility inspections following significant snowfall.

From Orange Beach City Schools: 

Weather and School Update

From the National Weather Service 8:00 AM

• Air temperatures will be below freezing across much of the area all day, dropping
• into the teens again this evening.
• Road conditions are not expected to improve today; however, clear skies will help
• those areas that can experience full sunshine today.
• Any lingering moisture will refreeze quickly after sunset.

School on Thursday

Due to ongoing wintry weather conditions, Orange Beach City Schools will remain

closed on Thursday, January 23, 2025.

School on Friday

Staff will continue to monitor the forecast and provide an update on the status of

schools as soon as possible.

Safety is our top priority. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

We will update this article with the Gulf Shores City School’s reopening decision as soon as we hear from them.

From the Baldwin County Public Schools:

Parents,
I hope you have had the chance to enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime snowfall. I had nearly 10 inches of snow, which is still there this morning! The pictures shared by others, from kids to grandparents, have been exciting. I will admit this is the first real snow I've ever been in, and yes, I made a few snow angels and snowballs with my wife yesterday.

Beyond that, I'm afraid I don't have good news for you today:

Baldwin County Public Schools will be closed for the remainder of the week. We will open for school on Monday, January 27th, with our regular schedule.

The snow has stopped but the freezing temperatures will remain overnight and into Thursday. They expect tomorrow afternoon we will see a heavy thaw, and that is where the trouble comes in. We have more than two million square feet of school space in Baldwin County, and we have no idea what condition those buildings will be in when everything thaws out. 

The snow has been beautiful and fun, but there could be a lot of problems hiding under all this snow and ice. Any busted pipes are still frozen, but when they thaw, we could have water everywhere (I am certain we will have some busted pipes). Because most Baldwin County roads will remain closed today, I can't send personnel to inspect heating systems and food storage units. So, I'm in the blind as to what's working and what's not.

My choices are limited. I could cancel Thursday and evaluate Friday, but the earliest I can send people out is tomorrow afternoon, and that's the best-case scenario. With that, I run the risk that we have significant problems we cannot address overnight, and then I'm canceling Friday at the last minute, which puts you in a bind.

I believe with this plan we will have Friday to evaluate all our buildings. Then we will have the weekend to fix pipes, make repairs, safety check all 400 of our buses, toss any spoiled food, and receive new food orders (which are a week behind). With this plan, I am certain we will be ready for 36,000 people on Monday morning.

Now look, I know an unexpected week with children in the house will wear thin soon. I also know all of you need to go to work and to do that, you need your children in school. The safety of our employees, our children, and you are always my first and last thoughts. Because of that, I hope you understand my decision here.

I know some of you were hoping we'd be back in school tomorrow. I know I was - I like my routines, but when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. In other words, try to enjoy what is in front of you. So, make a plan for the rest of your week. Hug and hang out with your kids. Take some pictures, drink some hot chocolate, reach out to family and friends for help watching your kids and I promise I will have everything ready for Monday morning.