Like much of the region, Metro is bracing for the effects of heavy rain and wind gusts up to 50 mph, courtesy of Hurricane Irene.
Crews have placed more than 2,000 sandbags around the escalators at Metro stations that have a history of flooding issues.
"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.
The stations that have received sandbags include Cleveland Park (pictured above during flooding in Aug. 2010), King Street, Southern Avenue, Navy Yard, Federal Triangle, Stadium-Armory, Foggy Bottom and Largo Town Center.
Metro crews are also checking its drainage pumping stations and will monitor them throughout the weekend, and clearing drainage areas near stations and yards.
Additional employees are scheduled to be on duty this weekend.
Frighteningly, Metro vehicles will also be equipped with chainsaws -- but they're just for use in the event of downed trees.
Metro also offers the following 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.
- Watch Live: Hurricane Irene Coverage
- Track the storm with our interactive radar.
- Share your photos with us and other readers.
- Check the latest severe weather alerts.
- Prepare yourself and your home for the hurricane.
- By the numbers: Hurricane Irene.
- Dramatic photos of the hurricane.
- Power outages: Info from your power company.
- Complete weather coverage and News4 video forecasts.
- Hurricanes through history.
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