Charleston schools close for Irene, 2 go short

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Schools in Charleston County are closed as a precaution as Hurricane Irene passes by the state.

The district said it made the decision to close Friday for student safety.

Georgetown and Berkeley county schools were operating on a half-day schedule Friday. Some Dorchester County school districts were also closing early.

In Colleton County, Edisto Beach Elementary is closing at 11:30 a.m. All other schools in the county are on regular schedule.

Schools in coastal Horry and Beaufort counties also are operating on normal schedules.

Hurricane Irene is forecast to pass by South Carolina, getting no closer than 100 miles from the shore.