Bryan County Schools announced Sunday that campuses will remain closed on Monday and Tuesday due to the effects of Hurricane Helene.

"We are facing several challenges that are impacting our ability to reopen safely," school officials said. "The Bryan County School System is served by three different power providers: Coastal EMC, Georgia Power, and Canoochee EMC. We are still without power and water at many of our school sites and do not have a definitive timeline for restoration."

Classes were let out early on Thursday in anticipation of the storm, and were closed on Friday.

"Our food service operations have been disrupted due to lack of power. We are currently working to clean coolers and freezers, as well as redistributing food supplies from other school locations," the district announced. "Unfortunately, our main food distributor who serves approximately 100 school systems was also heavily impacted by the storm, and we are waiting for an update regarding future food deliveries."

In addition, officials said, "Many of our 1,600 employees were impacted by the storm and are still without power and water. As a result, many of them are unable to return to work at this time."

Thousands remain without power in Bryan County. Canoochee EMC reported that as of Sunday morning, there were 19,547 services without power. The company said it was "optimistic today that more of the transmission system will soon be operational, so we will start seeing results. There are still lots of trees and broken poles in all corners of our territory."

A hurricane relief effort was underway Sunday afternoon from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Community House, 10512 Ford Ave. in Richmond Hill. Residents were able to charge their electronics, get running water and have a cool place to sit. The site will also provide food boxes and bottled water through a partnership between the city of Richmond Hill and Salvation Army.

Bags of ice will be available at 508 Timber Trail in Richmond Hill starting at 3 PM Sunday. Ice will be distributed in the back parking lot of the park near the four baseball fields. 

Also, Bryan County is distributing ice today at the Bryan County Family Connection Center located at 40 South Industrial Blvd. in Pembroke.