The educational process in the Roanoke-Chowan area will take a brief vacation with Hurricane Isabel threatening to strike eastern North Carolina.

Public and private schools throughout the local area have announced closings beginning as early as yesterday afternoon and lasting through at least Thursday, possibly Friday. The early cancellation of classes at the public school systems in the R-C area was necessary due to some of the school facilities being used as emergency shelters.

The following is a county-by-county list of school closings:

Ahoskie Christian School: Closed Thursday and Friday (both school and daycare).

Bertie County Public Schools: Closed on Thursday; Friday’s schedule depends on the weather. Three of Bertie County’s public schools will be used as emergency shelters for the general public – Colerain Elementary, Southwestern Middle School and West Bertie Elementary School. Those shelters were scheduled to open at 7 p.m. on Wednesday.

Bethel Assembly Christian Academy (Askewville): Closed Thursday; Friday’s status depends on weather.

Gates County Public Schools: Closed effective 1 p.m. Wednesday through Thursday.

Emergency shelter for the local public will be at Gates County High School effective 5:30 p.m. Wednesday and are projected to remain open until early Friday morning or later if necessary depending on conditions.

Absolutely no pets are permitted but residents are encouraged to bring a small cooler with canned drinks (no bottles) as well as their own bedding and toiletries.

The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will be operating around the clock to meet the needs of displaced residents.

Hertford County Public Schools: Closed at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday and remain closed for students and staff Thursday and Friday.

All athletic events scheduled for Thursday and Friday have been postponed.

For those citizens in low lying areas seeking secured places to ride out the storm, emergency shelters will be open beginning at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at both Hertford County High School and Hertford County Middle School.

Shelters will remain open depending upon the severity of the storm.

Lawrence Academy: Closed effective at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, remaining closed through Thursday and tentative for Friday depending on weather.

Northampton County Public Schools: Closed effective at 1 p.m. on Wednesday and will remain closed for students through Friday. School officials stated that Friday was an optional work day for staff. Emergency shelters for the public opened at 5 p.m. on Wednesday at Conway Middle School and Northampton County High School-West. Those shelters will remain open until emergency management officials deem the &uot;coast is clear&uot; following the hurricane.

Northeast Academy: As of press time on Wednesday, officials were undecided on when they would close.

Ridgecroft School: Closed Thursday and Friday.

Roanoke-Chowan Christian Academy: Closed effective 12-noon on Wednesday, remaining closed Thursday, and tentative on Friday depending on weather.

Roanoke-Chowan Community College: Closed Wednesday and Thursday with a decision about Friday’s status being made via announcement on Thursday.

Stay tuned to local weather reports on radio and television for updates.