Sarasota County Schools announced today that schools will close on Tuesday, Sept. 27, through Thursday, Sept. 29, out of "an abundance of caution" ahead of Hurricane Ian. The closures will also allow for time to prepare schools that serve as emergency evacuation centers. Sarasota County is expecting to announce an evacuation alert for Level A on Tuesday morning.

In Manatee County, schools will be closed starting Tuesday, Sept. 27, as the county opens up shelters for Hurricane Ian. The duration of school closings is dependent on the movement and impact of the storm.

New College of Florida, Ringling College of Art and Design and the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee have also announced closures.

New College of Florida classes have been cancelled from today through Friday, Sept. 30.

Ringling College will close Tuesday, Sept. 27, at noon, through Friday, Sept. 30.

USF will close today through Thursday, Sept. 29.