Courthouse Closure Policy for Hazardous Weather Conditions
During inclement weather periods, the safety of jurors, the public and Court personnel is always a priority.
In 2022, Chief Judge Cecilia M. Altonaga announced a new policy to govern the closing of the Southern District of Florida federal courthouses in the event of hazardous weather conditions, including hurricanes and tropical storms. If hazardous weather causes the local public schools within a particular county to close, the Federal Courthouses in that county will also close.
Administrative Order 2022-86 In Re: Emergency Closure of Courthouse
In the event of an emergency, information about the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida can be obtained from the following sources:
- The Court’s website: www.flsd.uscourts.gov
- Broadcast messages sent to CM/ECF e-filers
- Recorded telephone messages at each Courthouse
- Television Announcements
- Local newspapers; Bar periodicals
- The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts will post emergency messages on behalf of the Court on its website: www.uscourts.gov