Although OPM has not shut down (yet) the State Department is ready to throw in the towel....
Severe Weather Expected Thursday night Through Friday
There is severe weather on the horizon with impacts that could be similar to the derecho occurring one year ago this month. Derechoes are large clusters of thunderstorms that produce wide, long swaths of straight-line wind damage with winds as strong as 50 to 100 mph or higher. Last year’s derecho caused extensive power outages and communications failures across the Mid-Atlantic region. A/OEM recommends you begin planning now for a potential repeat of last year.
The Mid-Atlantic region, including Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C., may be impacted Thursday through Friday with damaging straight-line winds, large hail and a few possible tornadoes. The potential threats include strong winds downing trees and power lines Thursday night and Friday with gusts over 50 mph as well as flooding from heavy rainfall.
All Department employees are asked to check the OPM.gov website and the State.gov website to monitor the operating status of federal government buildings and specific Department of State buildings in the National Capital Region and other affected areas. If the operating status of the federal government is open, but an employee is unable to report to their duty station, employees are advised to contact their supervisor and bureau executive director offices to notify them and make arrangements for telework or liberal leave.
Please see the information in Department Notice: Washington, D.C. Area Dismissal and Closure Procedures, which provides guidance for Department of State employees.
We are monitoring the forecast and will stay in touch with field offices that may be impacted by the storm. If impacts to Department operations occur, the Department’s Incident Management Team may activate to notify and provide assistance to any affected facilities, offices and bureaus in the National Capital region or elsewhere in the affected areas. Employees may check the State Department website
www.state.gov for State specific building and operations closures.
Basic personal preparedness actions for severe weather include having an emergency kit with flashlights, plenty of batteries, water and non-perishable food items, a weather radio to receive alerts and comfort items. See OEM’s website for more information on personal preparedness. Personnel should also go to
https://cens.a.state.gov/ and ensure their emergency contact records are updated.
Please contact the Emergency Management Center at 202- or email @state.gov for more information about building operations.
Please contact your supervisor or bureau executive director for questions if you are unable to report to work due to the severe weather
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