News Summary
Greenwood Christian School in South Carolina has canceled its first day of classes due to severe storm damage and power outages caused by a fallen tree. The closure was announced by school officials who emphasized safety as the primary concern. The storm struck the area, toppling trees and damaging power lines, leading to disruption in the community. Emergency crews are on-site to clear debris and restore normalcy, but no timeline for power restoration has been provided.
Greenwood, South Carolina — School Cancels First Day Due to Storm Damage
Greenwood Christian School in Greenwood County, South Carolina, was forced to cancel its scheduled first day of classes on Wednesday, August 14, 2025, due to unforeseen weather-related damage and power outages in the area.
Cause of Closure: Fallen Tree and Power Outage
The closure was triggered by a tree falling onto a power line on Woodlawn Road, which resulted in a widespread power outage affecting the school and surrounding neighborhoods. The incident disrupted essential facilities such as the internet connection and electrical power supply at the school, rendering the campus unable to operate normally.
Communication from School Officials
The school’s leadership, headed by Chris John, announced the cancellation via social media, assuring parents, students, and staff that no injuries occurred during the incident. The school stated that updates would be provided as soon as possible and emphasized that safety was the primary concern in postponing the opening.
Impact of Severe Storming Preceding the Incident
The tree fall was a consequence of a severe thunderstorm that struck Greenwood on the evening prior, Monday, August 11. The storm brought heavy rain and strong winds, which caused significant damage across the region.
Storm Damage Details
The storm uprooted a large tree along Cambridge Avenue, which fell onto the roadway and downed power lines, especially at the intersection with Grace Street. This damage led to the closure of the intersection until further notice, with authorities working to clear the area.
Emergency Response and Cleanup Efforts
Emergency crews from the Greenwood Fire Department were dispatched to manage the scene, which involved removing debris and securing the area to prevent further hazards. Due to the extent of the damage, no specific timeline has been provided for the completion of cleanup efforts or restoration of power.
Additional Area Impacts
Aside from the temporary closure of the intersection on Cambridge Avenue, other streets in Greenwood were affected by fallen trees and downed power lines, with some residents experiencing extended power outages. Local authorities continue to work on restoring normalcy and clearing impassable routes.
Background Context
This weather event underscores the vulnerability of local infrastructure during severe storms, especially when high winds and heavy rain cause natural damage such as uprooted trees and damaged electrical systems. The incident also highlights the importance of timely emergency response to ensure public safety and facilitate recovery efforts.
Greenwood Christian School has not yet announced a new start date but has indicated that it will notify families once conditions allow for reopening and safe operation.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- WYFF4 News
- Wikipedia: Thunderstorm
- Index Journal
- Google Search: severe thunderstorm Greenwood
- Fox Baltimore
- Google Scholar: storm damage Greenwood
- Fox Carolina
- Encyclopedia Britannica: storm impacts
- The State
- Google News: Greenwood storm
Author: STAFF HERE RALEIGH WRITER
RALEIGH STAFF WRITER The RALEIGH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERERaleigh.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Raleigh, Wake County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the North Carolina State Fair, Raleigh Arts Festival, and the Hopscotch Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and Visit Raleigh, plus leading businesses in technology and education that power the local economy such as Red Hat and NC State University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
