A cyclist rides by a downed traffic sign and the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington Tuesday after the storm.

A cyclist rides by a downed traffic sign and the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington Tuesday after the storm. J. Scott Applewhite/AP

Washington-area federal agencies reopen after Sandy

Offices in the D.C. region were closed for two consecutive days due to the super storm.

Federal agencies in the Washington, D.C., region will reopen on Wednesday, after remaining closed for two consecutive days due to super storm Sandy.

Non-emergency employees will have the option to use unscheduled leave or unscheduled telework if they cannot make it in to work, the Office of Personnel Management announced.

The storm caused power outages, wind damage and flooding along much of the East Coast, though the D.C. area escaped the worst damage. The Washington Metro system reopened on Tuesday afternoon.

Employees who wish to use unscheduled leave or telework must notify their supervisors, OPM said. In addition to telework, they will have the option to:

  • Use earned annual leave, compensatory time off, credit hours, or sick leave, as appropriate;
  • Take leave without pay; or
  • Use a flexible work schedule day off or rearrange their work hours under flexible work schedules.

Click here to read the full text of the announcement.