Washington-area federal agencies remain closed Tuesday

This story has been updated to note that Washington Metrorail and Metrobus will remain closed Tuesday morning.

Washington-area federal agencies will remain closed Tuesday as Hurricane Sandy continues to unleash its wrath up and down the East Coast.

The Office of Personnel Management announced that the federal government will close for a second consecutive day this week in Washington because of the massive storm affecting millions of people up and down the Eastern seaboard. The storm has intensified over the last 24 hours, bringing rain, wind and snow to many communities.

Emergency employees are required to report to work. Everyone else affected will be granted excused absence unless they are required to telework; on leave without pay; on an alternative work schedule (AWS) day off; or on official travel outside of the Washington, D.C., area.

Here’s the full text of the announcement:

Non-emergency employees (including employees on pre-approved paid leave) will be granted excused absence (administrative leave) for the number of hours they were scheduled to work unless they are:

• required to telework
• on official travel outside of the Washington, D.C. area
• on leave without pay
• on an alternative work schedule (AWS) day off

Telework-ready employees who are scheduled to perform telework on the day of the announcement or who are required to perform unscheduled telework on a day when Federal offices are closed to the public must telework the entire workday or request leave, or a combination of both, in accordance with their agencies' policies and procedures, subject to any applicable collective bargaining requirements. Emergency employees are expected to report to their worksites unless otherwise directed by their agencies.

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority announced Monday evening that Metrorail and Metrobus will remain closed Tuesday morning, and said it would provide an update on service once officials assess the weather conditions and damage. Amtrak has canceled service through Tuesday on its Northeast Corridor line.