Metro News Release
For immediate release: September 5, 2008
Metro prepares for the remnants of Hurricane Hanna
Metro officials have put aggressive plans into place to help prevent Saturday’s expected arrival of Hurricane Hanna and the winds, rain and potential flooding expected to accompany it from affecting Metrorail, Metrobus and MetroAccess service. Metro officials have begun to transport sand bags to select rail stations that have a history of flooding issues; started to check and monitor drainage pumping stations, and have scheduled personnel to respond to situations that may arise.
With the potential of high winds and heavy rainfall on Saturday, officials are doing everything they can to protect the transit system from experiencing water damage. Metro’s trains operate along an electrified third rail, which provides power to the train engines. If water reaches that power line, trains will not be able to operate. Metrobus and MetroAccess vehicles, on the other hand, rely on clear roads to be able to provide service.
“We’re doing what we can to prepare for the possibility of flooding,” said Deputy General Manager Gerald Francis. “We are not going to wait to see how bad it gets. We are pro-actively moving forward with the expectation that the wind and rain will be heavy.”
Under Metro’s emergency response planning, if the region experiences sustained winds of 40 mph or greater, Metro may suspend rail, bus and paratransit service as a safety precaution. In its 32-year history, Metro suspended service due to high winds only once, when Hurricane Isabel arrived in September 2003.
Metro’s plant maintenance staff has been working to ensure the drainage areas near Metrorail stations and yards are clear to help ensure that the rain will not back up at those points.
On Thursday, Metro maintenance staff filled more than 2,500 sand bags and they were placed at stations which historically have had water flow above the curb and down escalators into the Cleveland Park, King Street, Southern Avenue, Navy Yard, Federal Triangle, Stadium-Armory, Foggy Bottom-GWU and the Largo Town Center Metrorail stations. The Smithsonian Metrorail station also occasionally has seen high water run-off from The Mall into the station via vent shafts.
Metro staff will also have chain saws ready to remove trees that may fall across tracks due to high winds.
Bus and rail supervisors and station managers have already checked to ensure that their emergency kits are ready, batteries fresh, and emergency procedures have been reviewed.
Staffing will be plentiful with support mechanics monitoring drainage pumping stations to ensure continuous operation. Additional plumbers will be on duty Saturday to assist during each shift, and maintenance personnel who usually have other responsibilities will be available to respond as the needs dictate.
Metrobus street supervisors will monitor locations around the area for potential drainage problems, to provide critical information to the assembled team of flood-control workers. Large emergency water pumps are available for dispatch as needed.
Metrobuses and MetroAccess vehicles will detour around downed trees and flooded streets, as necessary.
Metro encourages bus passengers to step away from the curb as their bus approaches and for rail passengers to step away from the edge of platform due to the anticipated high winds for Saturday.
News release issued at 11:35 am, September 5, 2008.