Schools Cancel Afternoon Activities

With , Howard County Public Schools have canceled all after school activities on Wednesday.

Columbia Association and Recreation and Parks aftercare programs will go on as scheduled, said officials.

The National Weather Service issued a flash flood emergency for Howard County, in effect until 6:30 p.m.

Parents should anticipate buses running late on Wednesday afternoon, said school officials.

"Drivers have been told that if they are unable to drive their usual routes and make the usual bus stops, they are to return students to schools rather than dropping them off at stops," said Principal Tricia McCarthy in an e-mail to parents. "In the event that this happens, we will have staff on hand...to meet the students and bring them inside the building. Our procedure will be to make telephone contact with families to let them know to pick up their child at school."

's back-to-school night has been canceled and will be rescheduled.