Schools opening 2 hours late, Charlotte schools closed due to sewer issues

Dickson County schools will open two hours late Monday due to widespread flooding experienced over the weekend while three schools will be closed due to sewer problems. Schools Director Dr. Danny Weeks announced this morning that Charlotte Elementary, Charlotte Middle and New Directions Academy will remain closed Monday due to sewer problems. All other county schools will open two hours late. With almost three inches of rain falling throughout the day, several area creeks crept out of their banks, but no injuries or serious damage were reported. Clogged drains led to flooding in downtown that at one point threatened the Dickson Municipal Building and the Humane Society of Dickson County was forced to rent a pump and move animals around at its Eno Road shelter to avoid an evacuation. Road closures ranged from one end of the county to the other Sunday. But a dispatcher at Central Communications said Monday morning that there were no major problems to report. Weeks talked with school and county officials Sunday evening to assess the road safety situation and decided to delay the start of school Monday by two hours to allow more time for roads to be cleared of water and debris. Bus drivers are advised to use their own discretion if faced with any safety issues. The daycare programs at county elementary schools except Charlotte will open on schedule. Dickson First United Methodist Church announced that its preschool program is canceled for Monday. While temperatures dropped throughout the day Sunday to below freezing overnight, there were no reports of ice or other hazards Monday morning, although motorists were warned to be alert for black ice on bridges and overpasses. The forecast calls for rain and possible sleet today and a slight chance of snow on Tuesday.