Washington-Area Federal Offices Closed Tuesday

National Journal Staff

Sandy, the massive storm that has pummeled the east coast and left at least 17 dead in 7 states and roughly 7 million without power, is heading inland, and in the Washington area it has left in its wake downed trees and power lines, flooding, and tens of thousands without power, according to The Washington Post. The federal government was closed and Washington's subway and bus service was canceled through at least Tuesday morning.

The storm also threatened the release of Friday’s jobs report, according to The Wall Street Journal, which could potentially impact the election. Officials said they would work to try to get it out on time. The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments on Monday, but announced it would be closed Tuesday.

The federal Office of Personnel Management announced on Monday afternoon that all federal offices will be closed to the public on Tuesday.

Below is the text of the announcement:

Non-emergency employees (including employees on pre-approved paid leave) will be granted excused absence (administrative leave) for the number of hours they were scheduled to work unless they are:

  • required to telework,

  • on official travel outside of the Washington, DC, area,

  • on leave without pay, or

  • on an alternative work schedule (AWS) day off.

Telework-Ready Employees who are scheduled to perform telework on the day of the announcement or who are required to perform unscheduled telework on a day when Federal offices are closed to the public must telework the entire workday or request leave, or a combination of both, in accordance with their agencies' policies and procedures, subject to any applicable collective bargaining requirements.

Emergency Employees are expected to report to their worksites unless otherwise directed by their agencies.

Metro followed suit, announcing that Metrorail and Metrobus service won't be available, at least for Tuesday morning. It might be restored later on in the day. Below is the full text of Metro's statement:

Due to extreme weather conditions from Hurricane Sandy that are expected to impact the entire Metro service area through the overnight hours, Metro has announced the following for Tuesday, October 30:

  • Metrorail and Metrobus service will not resume service Tuesday morning.  An announcement on when service may be restored will be made after Metro is able to assess damage and weather conditions in the morning. Metro personnel will need to perform a comprehensive damage assessment, including inspections of track, bridges, aerial structures, stations and facilities. Metrorail service restoration is also contingent on adequate commercial power to support operations and repair of any storm-related damage. For Metrobus, service restoration will vary by route and depend on road conditions.

  • MetroAccess service will remain suspended all day Tuesday.

Metro will restore service only when it is safe to do so.