The Briefing Room

General Category => National/Breaking News => Topic started by: mystery-ak on February 13, 2014, 02:22:36 pm

Title: Winter storm shutters government Thursday
Post by: mystery-ak on February 13, 2014, 02:22:36 pm
http://thehill.com/blogs/regwatch/administration/198299-storm-shutters-government-for-thursday (http://thehill.com/blogs/regwatch/administration/198299-storm-shutters-government-for-thursday)

February 12, 2014, 10:35 pm
Winter storm shutters government Thursday

By Ben Goad

A winter storm barreling toward Washington has prompted the government to shutter agencies and offices Thursday, giving thousands of federal workers their second snow day of 2014.

With as many as eight inches of precipitation expected to pile up by morning, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) issued guidance on its website late Wednesday night instructing all non-emergency workers to stay home.

Certain employees, however, are required to telework and emergency employees are expected to report to work unless otherwise directed by their agencies, according to the OPM. 

With the storm’s approach, several congressional committees postponed hearings and other business early Wednesday afternoon and many workers were instructed to take their work home with them.

Steady snow began falling Wednesday evening and was expected to continue through the night. Additional snow is expected Thursday afternoon, with accumulation expected to be greatest in Maryland and Virginia.

Area schools were also closed, and scores of flights were grounded due to the storm.

The decision to close the government came hours earlier than during the previous closure in late January, when OPM officials made the decision following a 3 a.m. call.

Thursday will mark the 11th day that the federal apparatus has been shuttered for weather during the Obama administration, according to OPM. That includes the “snowpocalypse,” which buried Washington beneath a food of snow for a solid week in 2010.

In the decade preceding 2008, there were only seven closure days, according to the agency’s figures, which do not include shutdowns related to congressional budget fights or national days of mourning following the deaths of former Presidents Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan.
Title: Re: Winter storm shutters government Thursday
Post by: Gazoo on February 13, 2014, 03:07:03 pm
When DC is closed we are safer.

Will Obama be jetting off to Hawaii?
Title: Re: Winter storm shutters government Thursday
Post by: aligncare on February 13, 2014, 03:36:00 pm
Flash. Democrats and media bedfellows are blaming Ted Cruz for the latest round of central government shutdowns. Sources close to Cruz have confirmed the religious Sen. formed a conspiracy with members of the notorious tea party to enlist the aid of God to make snow. Evidence exists that show the senator carried out the plot to deliberately incapacitate government agencies by coordinating and sending secret messages to the Almighty through prayer. Stay tuned for further details on this breaking story.
Title: Re: Winter storm shutters government Thursday
Post by: DCPatriot on February 13, 2014, 04:34:01 pm
(https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/t1/p180x540/1898009_10202756437619366_1866674970_n.jpg)

Grocery store bread aisle shelves in Germantown, Maryland  half-hour ago

 :laugh:
Title: Re: Winter storm shutters government Thursday
Post by: DCPatriot on February 13, 2014, 04:36:24 pm
(https://scontent-b-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/l/t1/q79/s720x720/1620798_10202134566899690_406743767_n.jpg)

7:30 AM this morning.....there was zero ground coverage last night when we went to bed.

And several more inches are expected before dark.
Title: Re: Winter storm shutters government Thursday
Post by: DCPatriot on February 13, 2014, 04:42:16 pm
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/t1/1656317_740769012602633_1132067824_n.jpg)


Hey!!   I'm snowed in.   DEAL WITH IT!!   :shrug:
Title: Re: Winter storm shutters government Thursday
Post by: aligncare on February 13, 2014, 04:54:57 pm
Snowfalls for the New York City area average 22 inches a year. We've already had over 40 inches before this latest round of storms. BJ's was packed last night on my way home from work. Locals stocking up on wings, chips and soda.
Title: Re: Winter storm shutters government Thursday
Post by: Olivia on February 13, 2014, 05:06:22 pm
(https://scontent-b-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/l/t1/q79/s720x720/1620798_10202134566899690_406743767_n.jpg)

7:30 AM this morning.....there was zero ground coverage last night when we went to bed.

And several more inches are expected before dark.

What a beautiful picture! 
Title: Re: Winter storm shutters government Thursday
Post by: Olivia on February 13, 2014, 05:07:06 pm
Flash. Democrats and media bedfellows are blaming Ted Cruz for the latest round of central government shutdowns. Sources close to Cruz have confirmed the religious Sen. formed a conspiracy with members of the notorious tea party to enlist the aid of God to make snow. Evidence exists that show the senator carried out the plot to deliberately incapacitate government agencies by coordinating and sending secret messages to the Almighty through prayer. Stay tuned for further details on this breaking story.

 :silly: :silly: :silly:
Title: Re: Winter storm shutters government Thursday
Post by: Rapunzel on February 13, 2014, 08:02:14 pm
That's funny aligncare and DC beautiful picture
Title: Re: Winter storm shutters government Thursday
Post by: DCPatriot on February 13, 2014, 08:11:30 pm
Did not take that pic....it is of a friend's back yard about a quarter mile down the road.

Facebook and all....... :laugh: