Wind threat closes Horry schools, Columbus early

Columbus closing at 11:30 a.m.
    A threat of severe weather Wednesday has prompted the closing of the Horry County Schools, with the Columbus County Schools to close at 11:30 a.m.
    With a wind advisory extending from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., the decision by the Horry County School District Tuesday afternoon was made “out of an abundance of caution,” spokeswoman Teal Britton said.
    “We will be monitoring the situation throughout the night and into the morning,” Columbus County Schools Superintendent Alan Faulk said earlier Tuesday evening, before making the decision to close the schools early.
     Wind is the big risk, the weather service warns, with gusts in southeastern North Carolina and northeastern South Carolina that could exceed 50 miles per hour.
    There is also a smaller risk for tornadoes, and citizens are warned to pay attention to weather alerts.
    That threat should ease by early evening, the weather service said, though windy conditions could last into early Thursday. – Deuce Niven