With a strong storm system set to make its way through the Midlands Tuesday, Jan. 8, Lexington County school districts, government entities and others are announcing changes to their schedules.

On the education end of things, all five county school districts have shifted to e-learning for the day.

The National Weather Service Columbia South Carolina reported Monday that the system will “bring gusty winds Tuesday which may result in downed trees and power outages. Showers and Storms on Tuesday afternoon/evening could produce damaging winds or possibly tornadoes.”

A wind advisory will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., with the service predicting winds between 25 and 35 miles per hour with gusts hitting around 45 miles per hour for portions of east-central Georgia and central South Carolina, including the Columbia area.

The service notes that the storm system could produce severe thunderstorms and tornadoes, with strong winds expected to begin Monday night and the strongest winds coming Tuesday afternoon, with the threat for severe weather extending from Tuesday afternoon into the evening.

“Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects,” the service reported. “Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages could result.”

“Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles,” the service added. “Use extra caution.”

In light of the threat of severe weather, the following changes have been announced in Lexington County:

• All schools in Lexington County School District 1 will shift to e-learning Tuesday — “That means the school buildings and offices will close Tuesday, with teachers assigning both virtual instruction and/or take-home lessons. All afterschool activities and sports are canceled,” the district writes in a release.”
• All schools in Lexington County School District 2 will shift to e-learning Tuesday, “with afternoon/evening events and programs canceled that day,” the district writes in a release.
• All schools in Lexington County School District 3 will shift to e-learning Tuesday — “Students do not physically come to school. Instead, they complete assignments remotely from the safety of their home,” the district writes in a release, noting all afterschool events are also canceled for the day.
• All schools in Lexington County School District 4 will shift to e-learning Tuesday, with all afternoon activities canceled.
• All schools in Lexington County School District 5 will shift to e-learning Tuesday, with all afterschool programs and athletic events canceled for the day.
• Northside Christian Academy and Gray Collegiate Academy and  will shift to e-learning Tuesday.
• King Academy will not hold school or afterschool activities Tuesday.
• American Leadership Academy  will be closed Tuesday — "Please check your email for communication from the school and teachers regarding student work," the school posted to social media.
• Midlands Technical College is closed with all classes canceled Tuesday.
• The Town of Lexington announced Monday afternoon that it had yet to make any changes to its schedule Tuesday, with trash collection slated to go on as norma. The town is encouraging residents to have roll carts and yard debris out by 7 a.m. as the service provider "plans to have all hands deck tomorrow morning in an effort to get all trash picked up before the storm is forecasted to roll in at approximately noon." A planned Board of Apperance meeting where a potential downtown hotel will be discussed is also set to go ahead at 5:30 p.m.  "If you live within Town limits and need to report a downed tree, contact the Parks Department at (803) 359-1027," the town posted.
• The City of West Columbia has canceled all trash and recycling pick-up for Tuesday, moving those routes to Wednesday. In addition, all city parks will be closed, City Hall will close at 10 a.m., and the night’s planned City Council meeting is canceled.
• The City of Cayce announced Monday afternoon that Guignard Park, the Cayce Riverwalk and Timmerman Trail will close at 5 p.m. and remain closed on Tuesday. 
• The Town of Batesburg-Leesville is closing its Town Hall at 1 p.m, and trash trucks were pulled fromt he road in the early afternoon — "Those that are normally serviced today that haven't been will be serviced tomorrow," the town posted to Facebook.
• Lexington County government offices will remain open 8 a.m.-5 p.m., and the scheduled County Council meeting, scheduled for 1 p.m., is expected to go ahead as planned.
• All services at Mission Lexington are canceled Tuesday.
• The Lake Murray Country Visitors Center is closed Tuesday.
• The Chronicle office will close Tuesday. Call (803) 359-7633 to reach us.

This list will continue to be updated as more announcements are made.