What will happen in a real emergency?

Judging from comments on this blog and in other media, the Office of Personnel Management's short notice and all-out closing of government offices Feb. 13 caused some major problems for federal workers. There was congestion on the Washington, D.C., Metro system, longer commute times and for some, no way to get home when some buses stopped running at the Pentagon.

The storm of ice and snow had been predicted for several days. OPM reacted too slowly and didn't allow for a staggered release time that might have prevented some of the problems for commuters.

It may be time to dust off the emergency planning guidelines for more serious disasters. If we ever face another 2001 terrorist attack scenario, what will the scene at the Metro and on the highways look like?