D.C. Public Schools officials are padding some of the city’s campuses with sandbags and wet-vacs as Hurricane Irene bears down on the Washington area.
The 126 schools’ storm drains, roof drains and catch basins are being cleared to catch the heavy rainfall from Irene expected to begin Saturday.
Only those with a history of flooding will receive sandbags and wet-vacs, DCPS spokesman Fred Lewis said.
Windows and outdoor equipment are being secured against the wind as well.
Custodians will survey the schools after the storm, and DCPS will inform families on Sunday if schools can reopen on Monday, Chancellor Kaya Henderson said. If the power goes out, DCPS will request “priority restoration” from Pepco.
“Our priority is to open schools on Monday and we are taking every step necessary to ensure that our buildings are protected throughout the storm and ready to open in the aftermath,” Henderson said.
All Saturday DCPS football games were canceled in anticipation of Irene.
All D.C. Public Schools were closed on Wednesday after a 5.8-magnitude earthquake rocked the Washington area. Only School Without Walls Senior High School in Foggy Bottom sustained enough damage to remain closed through Friday.
