Here are Wichita-area schools, businesses with closings due to possible severe weather
Ahead of the severe weather forecast for Wichita and the surrounding area Monday night, schools and businesses are adjusting their plans.
The National Weather Service is forecasting dangerous thunderstorms in southern Kansas on Monday, with the threat of 80 miles-per-hour winds, softball-sized hail and possible tornadoes. Accuweather issued a rare “extreme risk” of tornadoes for the central United States.
The Wichita area is expected to see severe thunderstorms develop from 4 to 11 p.m.
Here’s an active list of closings in the area. This story will be updated as more information on closings become available.
Wichita Public Schools
The Wichita school district announced on social media that all evening practices and events within the district are canceled. Latchkey will continue as planned, but parents are encouraged to pick up their students as early as possible.
The Board of Education meeting is expected to go on, but in-person student recognitions are canceled.
Maize school district
Like Wichita, all of Maize Public Schools’ after-school activities are canceled Monday. Boys & Girls Club is expected to continue as scheduled, but the district is encouraging parents to pick up their students early.
Ascension Medical Group
Ascension Medical Group clinics will be closing early in preparation for the severe weather. These closings do not impact hospitals and emergency rooms.
All Ascension clinics will be closed at 3:30 p.m.
WSU Tech
WSU Tech will close at 3 p.m. Monday.
Wichita Public Library
All public libraries in Wichita will close at 3 p.m.
CityArts
CityArts is scheduled to close early at 4 p.m.
City of Wichita
There are also several city meetings that are canceled or postponed Monday night. Here’s a list:
- District 1 advisory board meeting is postponed until Monday, May 13.
- District 4 advisory board meeting is postponed until Wednesday, May 8.
- District 5 advisory board meeting is postponed until Wednesday, May 8.
- District 1, 4 and 5’s job fairs are canceled.
Additionally, all city park and recreation events scheduled for after 3 p.m. are canceled.
Sedgwick County
All in-person Sedgwick County offices closed at 4 p.m. Monday due to the weather. The offices will continue conducting business remotely until 5 p.m.
All tag offices will stay open until 5 p.m.
Emergency personnel and first responders will conduct business as usual.
Kansas Aviation Museum
Kansas Aviation Museum closed at 3 p.m. Monday.
Barton Community College
Barton Community College’s campus is closed Monday.
Restaurants
Many restaurants are planning to close Monday evening ahead of the storm. If you were planning on going out tonight, call ahead of time to make sure the restaurant is open.
Know of a closing in Wichita today due to the weather? Let us know at lsmith@wichitaeagle.com
This story was originally published May 6, 2024 at 2:02 PM.
