Macon area schools, organizations cancel classes and events as Hurricane Helene nears

With Hurricane Helene set to impact Bibb County Thursday night into Friday morning, several schools and local agencies have closed and a number of events have been canceled.

The National Weather Service issued a hurricane warning for Macon until Friday around 5 a.m. Heavy rain and high winds are expected, which could lead to flooding and power outages.

Schools

• Bibb County Schools will be closed Thursday and Friday: “Based on the most recent weather update from the National Weather Service and National Hurricane Center, Bibb County School District has made the decision that all BCSD schools and offices will be closed on Thursday and Friday, September 26 and 27. All afterschool programs and athletics events are canceled.”
• Bibb County Schools athletics has canceled all Thursday afternoon and evening sports. Some football games have been postponed, while others were moved to Wednesday or Saturday evening.
• Middle Georgia State University (MGA) will close at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, and remain closed through Friday due to the anticipated impact.
• ACE Academy closed for classes on Thursday and Friday, and while activities are canceled on Thursday, the school plans on continuing its football and homecoming activities, if the power is still working.
• Mercer University is operating normally Thursday and will evaluate Friday classes later today.
• Wesleyan College is closed Friday.

Events

• Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance postponed his Thursday afternoon rally at the Macon Coliseum. A new date has not been announced
• Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park will close down until further notice at 11 a.m. Thursday.
• Mercer University’s School of Medicine canceled a ribbon cutting at Upson Regional Medical Center for their new pediatric emergency care facility. 
• Macon Pride canceled tonight’s karaoke contest at Serenity Entertainment, but intends to go ahead with Friday’s Haus Party and Saturday’s Pride in the Park.

Businesses

• Macon Bagels is open from 7 a.m. until it sells out of bagels Thursday and will be closed Friday.
• NewTown Macon is closed Thursday and Friday
• Sweet Eleanor’s and Bohemian Den are open Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and plan to reopen noon Friday.
• Bear’s Books is closed Thursday and Friday.
• MD Exchange is closed Thursday and Friday and extending Saturday hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This list will be updated as coverage continues. To add your closure to this list, email news@maconmelody.com.