Snowstorm Buries Capital, Government Shuts Down

The federal government shut down today as nine inches of snow blanketed the nation’s capital.

An estimated 340,000 federal workers in the Washington area were given the day off, the Office of Personnel Management reported, with the arrival of a massive storm that had already staggered much of the nation’s middle and southern states.

The National Weather Service reported nine inches of snow at National Airport at 10 a.m., with a another inch or two possible before the storm moves north later in the day.

Homeless were being housed in shelters, and the doors of the District Building--city hall--had been opened for the third night to shelter those with no place to stay.

President Reagan canceled an appearance at a dedication ceremony for the recently renovated Army and Navy Club two blocks from the White House.

400 Cars Towed Off Roads

The massive traffic jams that foiled movement in and around Washington when a foot of snow struck unexpectedly Nov. 11 were missing, thanks to the long lead time for the current storm and the lack of heavy traffic.

Lloyd Parker of the District of Columbia government said more than 460 cars had been towed off snow emergency routes, which are generally opened by 9:30 a.m. In past years parked cars have frustrated snow removal efforts in Washington.

The Metro subway system, subject to severe criticism last year when ice forced closing of several above-ground sections, also remained in service.

Despite the snow, Janet L. Norwood, the commissioner of labor statistics, was at her desk at 8 a.m. to issue a scheduled report on unemployment. Also at work were a few disgruntled Bureau of Labor Statistics analysts called in to answer reporters’ questions about today’s report.

The Supreme Court’s eight sitting justices were scheduled for their regular weekly meeting despite the snow.

Only a Few on the Job

Across the street at the Capitol, only police, cafeteria workers and some news media workers were on hand early in the day.

Spokesman James C. Lafferty of federal Office of Personnel Management said all but a few of the Washington area’s federal workers were kept home because of the snow.

“There are essential employees in each agency who have been designated by the agency heads who are expected to show up on time,” Lafferty said. He said the decision to close was made for the safety of workers who would have had to commute to their jobs.

Lafferty said the Office of Management and Budget had not made an estimate on the cost to the government of the snow day, which was declared shortly after 6 a.m.

The storm also shut down some state governments and left thousands without electricity as it rolled up the East Coast.

Snow Across Dixie

Some major highways were closed in the South while stranded motorists waited for tows, and roads were icy or snow-covered from Texas to New England. New York City alone had 630 plows and 320 salt spreaders on the streets.

Parts of northern Alabama had 10 inches, with more than a foot in Tennessee and Mississippi, 16 inches in North Carolina and Georgia and 18 inches in South Carolina, the National Weather Service said.