Metro News Release

For immediate release: August 31, 2006

Metro Readies For Rainfall from Tropical Storm Ernesto

Metro is getting ready for heavy rainfall from the remnants of Tropical Storm Ernesto. The Transit Authority has called in extra personnel to monitor conditions tonight and tomorrow with forecasters calling for several inches of rain.

By the end of the day, Metro will have placed hundreds of sandbags in low lying areas, vent shafts and grates at and near Federal Triangle, Cleveland Park, King Street, Foggy Bottom, Navy Yard, Stadium-Armory, Southern Avenue and Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter stations. Metro has 12 tons of sand ready for use.

As an extra precaution, Metro will bring in extra sump pumps for use between the Braddock Road and the Pentagon Metrorail stations on the Blue and Yellow lines.

Depending upon road conditions throughout the region, Metrobus and MetroAccess vehicles could be impacted by flooded or impassable roadways, causing delays and possible detours.

Riders can get information about Metro delays by visiting Metro’s Web site at www.metroopensdoors.com. They can also sign up for Metro’s email subscription service, which lists disruptions and alerts subscribers via e-mail when a news release has been issued.

News release issued on August 31, 2006.