FILE – In this May 16, 2012, file photo Florida Gov. Rick Scott speaks in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. In a victory for Republicans, the federal government has agreed to let Florida use a law enforcement database to challenge peoples right to vote if they are suspected of not being U.S. citizens. The agreement, made in […]

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (WFLA) – Florida Governor Rick Scott is directing all public K-12 schools, state colleges and universities and state offices to close Friday and Monday.

“Today, I am directing the closure of all public schools, state colleges, state universities and state offices for their normal activities effective Friday through Monday, to ensure we have every space available for sheltering and staging,” Scott said.

“Floridians are facing a life-threatening storm in Hurricane Irma, and every family must prepare to evacuate. Our state’s public schools serve a vital role in our communities as shelters for displaced residents and staging areas for hurricane recovery efforts.”HURRICANE IRMA COVERAGE –

BE HURRICANE-READY WITH STORM TEAM 8