Manassas Park city employees will spend the weekend preparing for Hurricane Sandy, a storm that's expect to bring high winds and up to 8 inches of rain to the area by Monday.

By Friday afternoon the city's generators were tested and city police and IT employees were busy getting the emergency operations center up and running, Manassas Park City Manager James "Jim" Zumwalt said.

Public works is clearing leaves from gutters and checking drainage for debris that could cause blockage," Zumwalt said.   

Public works crews are on standby and will likely be called in to work Sunday evening.

Jay Johnson, the public works director, told the Dominion Crossing townhome contractor to prepare the work site for heavy rains, he added.

The city's website is being updated with informative links on hurricane preparation by city manager's assistant Michele Quander-Collins. 

Dr. Bruce McDade, superintendent of Manassas Park City Schools, will decide Sunday whether to open schools Monday.

Key city staff will meet Saturday at 5 p.m. for the update, Zumwalt said.

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