Schools reopening in beach town hit by Hurricane Sally

Updated: Sep 28, 2020 / 07:56 AM CDT

GULF SHORES, AL – SEPTEMBER 17: An aerial view from a drone shows a vehicle driving through a flooded street after Hurricane Sally passed through the area on September 17, 2020 in Gulf Shores, Alabama. The storm came ashore with heavy rain and high winds. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

GULF SHORES, Ala. (AP) — Public schools were reopening Monday in an Alabama beach town for the first time since Hurricane Sally made landfall there nearly two weeks ago.

Gulf Shores city schools resumed classes two days ahead of schools in surrounding Baldwin County, located on the eastern side of Mobile Bay.

A social media message by Superintendent Matt Akin said most issues at the system’s schools had been repaired, but officials know some families are still coping with storm cleanup. Students can be excused because of hurricane-related absences, he said.

Sally caused extensive damage when it blew ashore at Gulf Shores as a Category 2 hurricane on Sept. 16. The coast received nearly 30 inches of rain, forecasters said, and winds toppled trees and knocked out power throughout the city.