OPM to federal employees: Be prepared, follow orders
Update on operating status of agencies to be posted Sunday night.
Office of Personnel Management Director John Berry warned federal employees that Hurricane Irene is a "very dangerous" storm, and said they should follow instructions about state and local officials about what to do if they are in Irene's path.
Berry's message appears below:
To All Federal Employees Impacted or Potentially Impacted by Hurricane Irene
Emergency planning officials have made clear that Irene is a very dangerous hurricane. We encourage all Federal workers in watch areas to prepare, and to follow evacuation orders and other instructions from your state and local governments.
If you will be anywhere along the projected path of Hurricane Irene, please build an emergency kit and make other preparations now. Check here to learn more: http://www.ready.gov/america/beinformed/hurricanes.html
Irene is expected to affect most of the Eastern seaboard. Check the National Hurricane Center's website frequently for the most up-to-date warnings and forecasts: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
I also encourage you to sign up for emergency text alerts from your local government. In the National Capital Region, visit www.capitalert.gov (or www.listo.gov for Spanish language speakers) for more information, and follow the Federal government's operating status at www.opm.gov/status, or by dialing 202-606-1900. We will update Monday's National Capital Region operating status on Sunday night.
Our workers are the most important part of government and we want you to be safe. Thank you for your hard work and dedication to public service.