FROM STAFF REPORTS

Due to the threat of severe weather, several local school systems will dismiss early today.

• The Alabaster City School System will dismiss two hours early on April 28 due to the threat of severe weather, and all after school care programs, activities and athletic events are cancelled.

• Hoover City Schools will dismiss two hours early Monday, April 28 due to approaching severe weather, and all school buses will run their normal routes two hours early. In addition, all after-school activities, including the Extended Day Program, are cancelled. Hoover Elementary students are participating in ACT Aspire testing this morning. Parents are urged not to check out students before dismissal unless necessary.

• All Shelby County Schools and offices will dismiss at 1 p.m. today due to the “prediction and high risk of severe weather,” spokesperson Cindy Warner said. All after school care programs for Shelby County Schools are also cancelled.

• Hilltop Montessori School in Mt. Laurel is not dismissing early at this time, but will not be offering aftercare services or after school activities, and requested all parents pick up their children by 3:30 p.m.

According to the National Weather Service office in Calera, central Alabama faces a high risk of severe weather, including tornadoes, damaging winds, hail and flooding this afternoon through Wednesday morning.