Snow forces closings around Omaha-metro; OPS cancels Friday classes

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - Closing notices continued into Thursday with several businesses and agencies announcing they wouldn’t be open because of the several inches of snow falling in the Omaha-metro.

Omaha Public Schools issued a notice Thursday afternoon that schools would be fully closed on Friday. They had canceled in-person classes on Thursday, having students attend remotely.

Several cities declared snow emergencies, and many city trash services were also issuing notices about delayed services. Omaha, Papillion, and Council Bluffs canceled trash pickup on Thursday, sharing collection plans for the coming days in their notices.

Additionally, Offutt Air Force Base officials announced Thursday morning that it would be closed for the day.

SCHOOL CLOSINGS

Several Omaha-metro school districts alerted staff and families Wednesday that Thursday classes would be conducted remotely or not at all due to approaching winter weather.

Omaha Public Schools declared a “remote learning day” for Thursday on Wednesday night, ahead of the winter storm approaching the Omaha-metro area expected to blanket the area with snowfall overnight.

Thursday afternoon, they canceled all classes for Friday — no remote learning.

Council Bluffs Community Schools along with St. Albert Catholic Schools will also be closed Thursday.

Bellevue Public Schools announced that they will close schools Thursday.

Westside Community Schools also called off classes for Thursday, including Club 66. Its Early Childhood Centers will also be closed. “All Thursday afternoon and evening activities are also canceled or will be rescheduled,” a Westside spokeswoman said in an email.

Omaha Catholic Schools are also canceled Thursday.

Papillion La Vista Community Schools will also be closed Thursday.

Ralston Public Schools canceled classes as well as parent-teacher conferences that had been scheduled for elementary and middle schools. Lil’ and Tiny Rams programs will also be canceled for the day. “Individual schools will communicate with parents about providing parent-teacher conference options,” the RPS spokesman said in an email.

Elkhorn Public Schools were already scheduled to be out on Thursday and Friday.

Plattsmouth Community Schools has also canceled Thursday classes.

Gretna Public Schools are also closed Thursday.

Blair Community Schools didn’t cancel classes, but did tweet Thursday morning that any students unable to attend — or arriving late — would not be counted as absent or tardy.

CITY BUSES

Omaha Metro planned to reroute buses to Snow Route Option A on Wednesday night, with snow detours in place for Thursday. Metro plans to follow those routes as well as one express route all day Thursday. Directions and other details can be found on the Metro website.

EPPLEY AIRFIELD

Also on Wednesday night, Omaha airport officials were advising travelers to check with their airlines for updates on any weather impacts to their Thursday flights.

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