6 replies to this topic

[CNJRoss]

WMATA
For immediate release: August 25, 2011

Metro prepares for the effects of Hurricane Irene
Maintenance crews placing sandbags at key locations today

Metro is planning for this weekend’s expected pass of Hurricane Irene and the winds and rain that may accompany it late Saturday and into Sunday morning.

Metro is taking steps in advance to prevent service disruptions. Specifically:
•Crews have placed more than 2,000 sandbags around the escalators at Metrorail stations that have a history of flooding issues.
•All drainage pumping stations are being checked in advance of the storm and will be monitored throughout the weekend.
•Plant maintenance staff is clearing drainage areas near stations and yards.
•Additional support personnel have been scheduled to be on duty throughout the weekend to respond to any situations that may arise.
•Chainsaws are being deployed in Metro vehicles for use in the event of downed trees.

“We’re putting all of our resources in place to address any issues that arise out of the extreme weather conditions this weekend,” said Metro General Manager and CEO Richard Sarles. “We will be updating our customers through our website, Twitter, email alerts and the media.”

Metro maintenance personnel have delivered more than 2,000 sandbags at stations that historically have had water flow above the curb, down the escalators into stations. The list of stations includes Cleveland Park, King Street, Southern Avenue, Navy Yard, Federal Triangle, Stadium-Armory, Foggy Bottom and Largo Town Center. In addition, Smithsonian Station has occasionally seen high water run-off from The Mall enter the station via vent shafts.

Supervisors will monitor critical locations, such as bus garages, parking garages, and flood-prone areas throughout the weekend.

Customer Travel Advice
•Metro will provide service information throughout the storm online at wmata.com and via Twitter @wmata. Metrorail customers may also sign up for Metro alerts via email by visiting wmata.com or tune to broadcast traffic reports for service information.
•Metrobuses and MetroAccess vehicles will detour around downed trees and flooded streets, as necessary. Please allow additional travel time.
•Use caution on wet surfaces, including platforms and escalators.
•Do not carry open umbrellas within the Metrorail system.
•Customers are reminded to stand back from platform edges or curbs – especially given the potential for high winds during the storm.
•Bus customers should NextBus results may be unreliable due to the system’s inability to reflect extreme road conditions.

###

[CNJRoss]

WMATA
For immediate release: August 25, 2011

Metro revises Sunday service levels due to postponement of MLK Dedication Ceremony

Due to the postponement of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Dedication Ceremony, Metro is revising its service plans for Sunday, August 28.

•The Metrorail system will open at its usual weekend opening time of 7 a.m. and trains will operate at normal weekend intervals.
•No weekend track work is scheduled.
•All previously announced plans to have additional personnel on hand to respond to weather-related infrastructure issues will remain in place.

More info about Metro's preparations for effects of Hurricane Irene

News release issued at 9:49 pm, August 25, 2011.

[KevinKorell]

Metro Irene Update 1
Issued 6:15 p.m. Friday

Based on current National Weather Service forecasts, Metro is planning to operate on a on a regular weekend schedule on Saturday, August 27. There are currently no planned service changes as a result of weather.

Metro's Operations Control Center is continuously monitoring conditions and receiving updates from the National Weather Service. Should any service adjustments become necessary, Metro will advise customers at http://www.wmata.com/ , on Twitter @wmata, via broadcast traffic services and email alerts.

Customers should take note of the following travel advice:

•Weather-related delays are possible this weekend. If you must travel, please allow additional time to complete your trip.
•Check http://www.wmata.com/ for service updates before starting any trip. Metrorail customers may also sign up for Metro alerts via email, tune to broadcast traffic reports or follow Metro on Twitter @wmata for the latest service information.
•Notify Metro employees of any unsafe conditions.
•Use caution on wet surfaces, including platforms and escalators.
•Stand back from platform edges and curbs – especially given the potential for high winds during the storm.
•Do not open umbrellas within the Metrorail system (e.g. on outdoor platforms). High winds can blow them on the tracks.
•Metrobuses and MetroAccess vehicles will detour around downed trees and flooded streets, as necessary. Please allow additional travel time. Bus customers should note that NextBus results may be unreliable due to the system’s inability to reflect extreme road conditions.

As a reminder, Metro service plans on Sunday have been revised due to the postponement of the MLK Memorial Dedication. The system will open at its regular time (7 a.m.).

News release issued at 6:13 pm, August 26, 2011.

[CNJRoss]

WMATA
For immediate release: August 27, 2011

Metro Irene Update 2
Issued 2:25 p.m. Saturday

Metro's Operations Control Center continues to closely monitor the track of Hurricane Irene as the storm moves northward.

Based on current National Weather Service forecasts, Metro bus, rail and paratransit services are expected to continue operating on a regular weekend schedule Saturday. There are currently no planned service changes as a result of weather, and there are no reported delays or detours as of 2:15 p.m.

Metro is actively monitoring conditions and receiving updates from the National Weather Service. Should any service changes become necessary, Metro will advise customers at wmata.com, on Twitter @wmata, via broadcast traffic services and email alerts.

Customers should take note of the following travel advice:
•Weather-related delays are possible this weekend. If you must travel, please allow additional time to complete your trip.
•Check wmata.com for service updates before starting any trip. Metrorail customers may also sign up for Metro alerts via email, tune to broadcast traffic reports or follow Metro on Twitter @wmata for the latest service information.
•Please report any unsafe conditions to the nearest Metro employee.
•Use caution on wet surfaces, including platforms and escalators.
•Stand back from platform edges and curbs – especially given the potential for high winds during the storm.
•Do not open umbrellas within the Metrorail system (e.g. on outdoor platforms). High winds can blow them on the tracks.
•Metrobuses and MetroAccess vehicles will detour around downed trees and flooded streets, as necessary. Please allow additional travel time. Bus customers should note that NextBus results may be unreliable due to the system’s inability to reflect extreme road conditions.
•MetroAccess customers are encouraged to cancel reservations for any non-essential travel.

As a reminder, Metro service plans on Sunday have been revised due to the postponement of the MLK Memorial Dedication. The system will open at its regular time (7 a.m.).

Learn more about Metro's storm prep efforts


News release issued at 2:23 pm, August 27, 2011.

NOTE: This announcment was repeated at 5:00 pm and 7:45 pm as Updates 3 and 4.

[CNJRoss]

WMATA
For immediate release: August 27, 2011

Metro Irene Update 5
Issued 9:55 p.m.

As of 9:55 p.m., Metro bus, rail and paratransit services continue to operate on a regular Saturday schedule. There are currently no planned service changes as a result of weather, and there are no reported delays or major detours in effect.

The Metrorail system is expected to close at its normal closing time of 3 a.m. and reopen at 7 a.m. Sunday.

Metro's Operations Control Center continues to closely monitor the track of Hurricane Irene as the storm moves northward. Metro's situation room, which has been open since 6 p.m. Saturday, will remain staffed through the overnight hours.

Metro is actively monitoring conditions and receiving updates from the National Weather Service. Should any service changes become necessary, Metro will advise customers at wmata.com, on Twitter @wmata, via broadcast traffic services and email alerts.

Customers should take note of the following travel advice:
•Weather-related delays are possible this weekend. If you must travel, please allow additional time to complete your trip.
•Check wmata.com for service updates before starting any trip. Metrorail customers may also sign up for Metro alerts via email, tune to broadcast traffic reports or follow Metro on Twitter @wmata for the latest service information.
•Please report any unsafe conditions to the nearest Metro employee.
•Use caution on wet surfaces, including platforms and escalators.
•Stand back from platform edges and curbs – especially given the potential for high winds during the storm.
•Do not open umbrellas within the Metrorail system (e.g. on outdoor platforms). High winds can blow them on the tracks.
•Metrobuses and MetroAccess vehicles will detour around downed trees and flooded streets, as necessary. Please allow additional travel time. Bus customers should note that NextBus results may be unreliable due to the system’s inability to reflect extreme road conditions.
•MetroAccess customers are encouraged to cancel reservations for any non-essential travel.
•As a reminder, Metro service plans on Sunday have been revised due to the postponement of the MLK Memorial Dedication. The system will open at its regular time (7 a.m.).

Learn more about Metro's storm prep efforts


News release issued at 9:56 pm, August 27, 2011.

[CNJRoss]

WMATA
For immediate release: August 28, 2011

Metro Irene Update 6
Issued 2:00 a.m. Sunday

As of 2:00 a.m., Metro services continue to operate on a regular Saturday (post-midnight) schedule. There are currently no planned service changes as a result of weather, and there are no reported delays or major detours in effect.

The Metrorail system will close at its normal closing time of 3 a.m. and reopen at 7 a.m. Sunday. As a reminder, Metro service plans on Sunday have been revised due to the postponement of the MLK Memorial Dedication. (The system will open at its regular time -- 7 a.m. -- and operate on a regular Sunday schedule.)

Metrobus and MetroAccess service also will operate on a regular Sunday schedule. Customers should expect possible detours around downed wires and trees and allow additional travel time.

Metro's Operations Control Center continues to closely monitor the track of Hurricane Irene as the storm moves northward. Metro's situation room, which has been open since 6 p.m. Saturday, will remain staffed through the overnight hours. Should any service changes become necessary, Metro will advise customers at wmata.com, on Twitter @wmata, via broadcast traffic services and email alerts.


Customers should take note of the following travel advice:


•Weather-related delays are possible this weekend. If you must travel, please allow additional time to complete your trip.
•Check wmata.com for service updates before starting any trip. Metrorail customers may also sign up for Metro alerts via email, tune to broadcast traffic reports or follow Metro on Twitter @wmata for the latest service information.
•Please report any unsafe conditions to the nearest Metro employee.
•Use caution on wet surfaces, including platforms and escalators.
•Stand back from platform edges and curbs – especially given the potential for high winds during the storm.
•Do not open umbrellas within the Metrorail system (e.g. on outdoor platforms). High winds can blow them on the tracks.
•Metrobuses and MetroAccess vehicles will detour around downed trees and flooded streets, as necessary. Please allow additional travel time. Bus customers should note that NextBus results may be unreliable due to the system’s inability to reflect extreme road conditions.

###

[CNJRoss]

WMATA.
For immediate release: August 28, 2011

Metro Irene Update 7
Issued 6:00 a.m. Sunday

Metro expects to operate bus, rail and MetroAccess service on a regular schedule on Sunday, August 28. Metrobus service began on select routes as scheduled at 5 a.m.; the Metrorail system will open at 7 a.m. There is no scheduled track work.

Metrobus and MetroAccess customers should expect possible detours around downed wires and trees and allow additional travel time.

Metrorail ridership was down about 67 percent yesterday as compared to last Saturday. Yesterday, 128,390 customers entered the system, as compared to 345,425 on Saturday, August 20.

Metro's Operations Control Center will continue to monitor the system for any storm-related after effects.


Customers should take note of the following travel advice:


•Check wmata.com for service updates before starting your trip. Metrorail customers may also sign up for Metro alerts via email, tune to broadcast traffic reports or follow Metro on Twitter @wmata for the latest service information.
•Please report any unsafe condition to the nearest Metro employee.
•Metrobuses and MetroAccess vehicles will detour around downed trees and flooded streets, as necessary. Please allow additional travel time. Bus customers should note that NextBus results may be unreliable due to the system’s inability to reflect extreme road conditions.

###