LANHAM, Md. (CBSDC) — The Washington area is slowly returning to a sense of normalcy after Hurricane Sandy battered the region, shuttering schools, the federal government, businesses, and transit systems, bringing the nation’s capital to a virtual halt.

Power is being restored to hundreds of thousands of area residents left in the dark from the heavy winds and rains.

The following is a list of important resources and information in the storm’s aftermath.

• SCHOOLS
• GOVERNMENT
• POWER OUTAGES
• TRANSIT SYSTEMS
• IMPORTANT SAFETY TIPS

SCHOOLS

Schools in D.C., Montgomery, and Prince George’s counties will be open Wednesday after students received a two-day reprieve due to Hurricane Sandy. Loudoun County will be operating on a one-hour delay.

Most Howard County schools will open on time, with the exception of ten that are still without power. Parents are urged to check the county’s website at 5 a.m. for a list of schools which will remain closed. Anne Arundel County schools will open two hours late, with the exception of 17 schools still without power. Those schools are listed on the county’s website.

Manassas Park City Schools will be closed Wednesday. MPCS Central Office will open at 10:00 a.m.

The majority of school districts in the Washington area are yet to announce their Wednesday status.

FULL LIST OF CLOSINGS AND DELAYS (via 9News Now)

GOVERNMENT

The federal government is open Wednesday.

Follow @USOMP on Twitter

FULL LIST OF CLOSINGS AND DELAYS (via 9News Now)

POWER OUTAGES

CURRENT POWER OUTAGE NUMBERS

Pepco – 1-877-PEPCO-62 (1-877-737-2662)

BGE – Outages: 1-877-778-2222, Emergencies: 1-800-685-0123

Dominion Power – Outages: 1-866-DOM-HELP (1-866-366-4357)

SMECO – 1-877-74-SMECO (1-877-747-6326)

TRANSPORTATION

Metro expects to resume operating on a normal schedule Wednesday.

Reagan National and Dulles airports will slowly resume normal service after hundreds of flights were cancelled due to the storm. Travelers are strongly encouraged to check with their flight status before heading to the airport.

FLIGHT CANCELLATIONS | @DCAirports

SAFETY TIPS

Generators

Make sure to use the generator outside the home. Deadly levels of carbon monoxide can build up inside the home even if fans are being used to ventilate indoor generators.

• Keep the generator dry
• Dry your hands before touching it.
• Plug appliances directly into generator or use a heavy-duty outdoor-rated extension cord.
• Never plug a generator into a wall outlet
• Before refueling the generator, turn it off and let it cool. Fuel spilled on hot engine parts could ignite.

Downed Trees / Saws

Power saws also pose a danger with downed trees. Chain saws are considered the most dangerous hand tool available.

Do not operate a power saw without previous experience and are in good physical condition.

• Keep both hands on the handles
• Take your time and take breaks — most injuries affect the legs and feet and are the result of careless or aggressive cutting
• Cut at waist level or below — save those overhead limbs for the professionals. Those higher limbs often fall and cause head injuries
• Make sure you wear protective glasses, head gear, gloves, and hard-toed shoes

SHELTERS

D.C. Area Shelters

Red Cross Shelter Locator

Red Cross Shelter Locator Mobile App

HELP

Red Cross Hurricane Mobile App

Md. Emergency Management Agency | @MDMEMA

Va. Dept. of Emergency Management | @VDEM

D.C. Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency | @DC_HSEMA