Statewide, 37 public schools were shut down yesterday because of the weather, ranging from Sunset Beach Elementary on Oahu to West Hawaii Explorations charter school on the Big Island.

Leilehua High and Wahiawa Middle will remain closed today because of water damage, said Education Department spokeswoman Sandy Goya.

Some announcements came yesterday as early as 6:15 a.m., but a few parents were frustrated to learn about closures after they had dropped off their children.

“;We try and close schools as early as we can,”; Goya said. “;With weather such as we had today, every situation is unique.”;

Kailua Elementary and Intermediate schools opened as usual and served breakfast, but then things started going downhill.

“;Their electricity went off a little after 7 a.m., and they checked with the electric company as to when it might come back on, and that's when the torrential rains came down and flooding began,”; Goya said.

Nanakuli High and Intermediate decided at 7:40 a.m. yesterday not to hold classes after realizing that 70 percent of its teachers had not made it to campus because of road closures and traffic. Castle High School closed at 9:56 a.m. when winds whipped up and unleashed flying debris, posing a hazard.

Parents can visit the DOE Web site or call their school for information on closings.