BAY MINETTE, Ala. — Baldwin County public school students resume classes Wednesday, after a day off to allow students and families to return to their homes following a mandatory evacuation order from Gov. Bob Riley for Baldwin County.

“Because many families heeded the governor's mandatory evacuation, we're allowing a day for those who left the county to safely return without the threat of driving through tornadoes,” said Terry Wilhite, a spokesperson for the Baldwin County Board of Education.

Students did not attend classes Tuesday.

“Also, our chief transportation official advised us of rapidly deteriorating road conditions in some of the places where our buses travel, which include extremely rural, low-lying areas.”

Wilhite said another major issue at some schools in the past has been flooded sewage lines that have caused sewage utilities to fail from heavy rains.

“Because safety is our chief concern for our students, a day when the weather has calmed will help families get back and allow us time to evaluate roadways and facilities to ensure a safe return to the school routine,” Wilhite said.

The Alabama State Department of Education requires missed school days to be made up. That date has not been determined.