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.