Federal offices closed in response to Hurricane Sandy

Federal offices in the Washington area have been closed down on Monday in anticipation of Hurricane Sandy, according to the Washington Post.

All non-emergency employees will be granted excused absences, leaving only essential and emergency employees, the Baltimore Sun reported.

State government offices will be closed down, according to the Baltimore Sun.
The storm is expected to cause at least 12 to 14 hours of extremely strong winds, DVIDS reported. The Washington area is expected to receive the harshest winds starting at noon on Monday. The severity of the winds is not something more of the residents have experienced before.

The closure has caused Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley to close down early voting on Monday as well, the Baltimore Sun reported.

The Office of Personnel Management will decide after 5 p.m. on Monday whether the federal offices will be closed on Tuesday, DVIDS reported.