CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Tenn. — Cumberland County Schools said Monday that it would dismiss students early on April 2, before severe weather was expected to hit.
Billy Stepp, the Director of Schools for Cumberland County, said on social media that the area was in the "enhanced" risk area Monday night. He also said the National Weather Service warned that severe weather could impact Cumberland County while students would normally be dismissed.
He said that out of an abundance of caution, schools would dismiss at 11:15 a.m. on Tuesday so students would have a chance to get home safely before severe weather hit the area.
"We will continue to work with our Emergency Management Agency partners to ensure the safety of all Cumberland County Schools stakeholders," the post on social media said.
The Storm Prediction Center has highlighted almost all of East Tennessee under a Level 3 risk, meaning that severe weather is "likely" in most areas. The only areas not included were the eastern parts of Sevier County, Cocke County and Greene County. The plateau region could see wind gusts as high as 75 mph, with the possibility of rotating storms or even tornadoes.