*** Official Hurricane Sandy Thread *** (Oakton, Washington: closing, military, dangerous)

[United_Caps_Skins_Fan]

Rain forecast has been upped for 5-10" of rain for the entire area. Wind forecast has been upped to 50-70MPH winds with higher gusts. Sustained winds of 45+ will occur.


Sorry, but I only saw one other thread and it was called "anyone evacuating". This was meant to be an all inclusive and informative thread for the storm and all aspects there of. Sorry you don't like it, cava1990. Oh well.

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by United_Caps_Skins_Fan

Sorry, but I only saw one other thread and it was called "anyone evacuating". This was meant to be an all inclusive and informative thread for the storm and all aspects there of. Sorry you don't like it, cava1990. Oh well.

Nah, it's all good.

[ArtyGuy]

Originally Posted by dmv101010

I got another duh question but sterling, va is considered the washington dc area federal gov as well right?

My understanding is that the for federal government directives concerning the greater DC area, they are referring to facilities inside the beltway. I'm stationed at FT Belvoir and OPMs directive did not pertain to Belvoir because its outside the beltway. Hope that helps.

[Carlingtonian]

Originally Posted by ArtyGuy

My understanding is that the for federal government directives concerning the greater DC area, they are referring to facilities inside the beltway. I'm stationed at FT Belvoir and OPMs directive did not pertain to Belvoir because its outside the beltway. Hope that helps.

I really don't think that's accurate. Yes, there surely is a "line" somewhere that defines the DC region, but Belvoir is not that far from DC and is widely regarded as being in the National Capital Region. As is Sterling.

But Belvoir's own "operating status" page confirms it's closed tomorrow:

http://www.belvoir.army.mil/BelvoirOperatingStatus.asp

I'd bet that federal offices in Norfolk/Hampton Roads are also closed.

[cdmurphy]

Originally Posted by Carlingtonian

I really don't think that's accurate. Yes, there surely is a "line" somewhere that defines the DC region, but Belvoir is not that far from DC and is widely regarded as being in the National Capital Region. As is Sterling.

He's right about the Beltway. From http://www.opm.gov/oca/compmemo/dismissal.pdf:

The Washington, DC, Area Dismissal and Closure Procedures apply to employees in all Executive agencies with offices located inside the “Washington Capital Beltway” (the highway that circles the Nation’s capital). In addition, some agencies may determine to apply these same procedures to facilities located in the portions of the Counties and jurisdictions that are outside of the Capital Beltway but adjacent to the District of Columbia (i.e., Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties in Maryland; Arlington and Fairfax Counties, and the independent cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, and Falls Church in Virginia). However, other agencies may determine to develop separate plans for these facilities, since Federal offices in areas outside the Capital Beltway may be subject to different weather and traffic conditions than those inside the Beltway. In very rare circumstances, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) may issue guidelines affecting agency facilities outside the Washington Capital Beltway. Note, however, that OPM’s procedures do not apply to employees of the legislative branch, judicial branch, U.S. Postal Service, the government of the District of Columbia, or private sector entities, including contractors.

[ArtyGuy]

Originally Posted by Carlingtonian

I really don't think that's accurate. Yes, there surely is a "line" somewhere that defines the DC region, but Belvoir is not that far from DC and is widely regarded as being in the National Capital Region. As is Sterling.

But Belvoir's own "operating status" page confirms it's closed tomorrow:

Welcome to Fort Belvoir Home Page!

I'd bet that federal offices in Norfolk/Hampton Roads are also closed.

Yes, the decision to close was eventually made but its independent of OPMs directive to shut down federal government agencies in the "greater DC area".

Here was Belvoir's announcement.

The Garrison Commander has made this decision after considering the severity of conditions predicted for tomorrow, local school closures and a decision by the Office of Personnel Management to close federal offices in the D.C. Area.

The commander wouldn't have had to make a decision if we fell under OPMs directives for the greater DC area.

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by ArtyGuy

The commander wouldn't have had to make a decision if we fell under OPMs directives for the greater DC area.

Well I'm glad you straightened that out. It must be exhausting having to correct everyone all the time.

[Bigfoot424]

Originally Posted by CAVA1990

Well I'm glad you straightened that out. It must be exhausting having to correct everyone all the time.

Do you enjoy being the resident CD smart A** all the time? Seems you have to be a little snarky in most threads on here.

[Carlingtonian]

Originally Posted by cdmurphy

He's right about the Beltway. From http://www.opm.gov/oca/compmemo/dismissal.pdf:

Ok, wow--I stand corrected! I'm quite surprised. (Belvoir is only 30 minutes from DC if there's no traffic. And administratively, Mark Center [well inside the Beltway] is treated as some extension of Belvoir.)

OPM really should expand its definition, because any weather system affecting inside the Beltway is going to have almost the same effect well outside the Beltway.

Glad you raised the point, though, because I bet a lot of Belvoir employees were thinking as I was. (When I worked there, my agency was very proactive about updating us directly on operating status, so it didn't come up.)

You all stay safe.

[ChristineVA]

I'm sort of surprised by the "inside the beltway" thing too. Although, I do vaguely remember that, excepting that, military installations often don't follow the OPM guidelines and have their own operating status. Andrews is one example and they are very close to DC. I guess I figured Ft. Belvoir was the same way--that the base commander would make that decision.