While Hurricane Helene is not expected to cause major impacts in the Wilmington area, at least two local school districts are already preparing for a second storm in less than two weeks.

Due to rain and gusty winds predicted for Thursday evening, Brunswick County Schools announced that all facilities and buildings will be closed on Friday and staff will not have a mandatory work day, the district announced on its website.

New Hanover County schools will operate on a two-hour delay Friday, according to a statement on the website from Interim Superintendent Christopher Barnes. The schools will monitor the situation and provide an update by 7 a.m. Friday.

Pender County Schools is monitoring the situation in Helene, and a decision on Friday’s schedule will be made at noon Thursday, according to a news release.

More about the storm: Helene Is Now a Strengthening Hurricane. Here’s What That Could Mean for Wilmington

On Monday, October 21, Brunswick will hold a learning day for students and staff, previously considered a teacher work day.

It’s been less than 10 days since the unnamed storm, also known as Potential Tropical Cyclone 8, dumped 20 inches of rain on much of Brunswick County and southern New Hanover, destroying homes and flooding several roads. Some remain washed out.

Despite forecasted rainfall of 5 to 10 centimetres in Helene, officials fear any rainfall could worsen already swollen streams and rivers and hamper recovery efforts.

Rain totals could be higher in some areas. Thursday night’s storm could bring wind gusts over 25 mph, and isolated tornadoes are possible.

Minor coastal flooding is possible on Friday at beaches and along the Lower Cape Fear River during high tide. Hazardous sea conditions are possible later in the week, with 7- to 10-foot waves and gale-force wind gusts Thursday night and Friday.

This article originally appeared in the Wilmington StarNews: Brunswick schools to close Friday due to Helene; New Hanover to delay