CADDO PARISH, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – Schools in the area are recovering from storm damage.

All Caddo Parish schools are closed on Monday morning after storms moved through the area overnight.

According to a text sent out at 6:14 a.m., the closures are due to widespread power outages caused by the storms.

The school board says that they are working closely with SWEPCO to determine when schools will reopen, and they will notify parents and staff. All district sites, including the Central Office, will also be closed.

An update was given by Caddo Parish Public Schools this afternoon about the parish-wide closures.

“The decision to close all schools and district sites was made out of an abundance of caution as storm damage assessments were being conducted throughout the parish. Preliminary reports showed at least 20 percent of schools and 16,000 power customers were impacted by the outages. The annual required instructional time for students will not be affected by today’s closure. Educating students in the safest environment is our top priority, and we’re working closely with SWEPCO in preparation for students to return to school as soon as it is safe to resume operations,” said Marquel Sennet, Director of Communications and Marketing, Caddo Parish Public Schools.

Bossier Parish Schools said Stockwell Place Elementary was the only campus without power Monday morning. It was restored by 8:30 a.m.

Evangel Christian Academy Elementary and Middle/High School are closed today, Monday, September 25. Evangel Learning Center will remain open. 

Caddo Head Start and Caddo Community Action Agency are closed as well.

Caddo Schools plans for campuses and district sites to reopen for normal operations on Tuesday, September 26.