Flooding cripples US capital, closes attractions

WASHINGTON, June 26 (Reuters) Floods that soaked the US capital kept tax collectors and federal agents from work on Monday and closed attractions including Smithsonian museums and the home of the Declaration of Independence.

With as much as 7 inches (18 cm) of rain falling since Sunday in an East Coast deluge, flooded basements or power outages forced the Internal Revenue Service, Commerce Department, Justice Department and the National Archives to close.

''The nation's attic'' -- the Smithsonian Institution -- also was also hit. The Smithsonian-run American-history and natural-history museums and the National Zoo were all closed.

A century-old elm tree toppled at the White House and cars floated at flooded intersections on Constitution Avenue, which runs past tourist attractions such as the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial.

The federal government told its 280,000 area workers they could take leave time if they were unable to get to work.

Amtrak canceled seven early passenger trains between Washington and New York, and commuter rail service was disrupted. Mud washed onto the Capital Beltway highway that circles the city, closing lanes.

The National Archives, which houses the Declaration of Independence, the US Constitution and other treasured documents, said inspections revealed ''no damage to original records,'' but it was to stay closed through Tuesday.

The White House also escaped damage when the elm tree fell near the north door to the presidential residence, said spokesman Bill Line for the National Park Service, which maintains the grounds.

Heavy rain fell intermittently on Monday and more was predicted. ''We have the potential for more problems, especially on Tuesday,'' said National Weather Service meteorologist Andy Woodcock.

A flash-flood warning was in effect for the greater Washington metropolitan area until Monday evening, and a flood watch was in effect until Tuesday, the weather service said.

Heavy rains and flooding also caused problems elsewhere along the US East Coast.

As of 3:30 p.m. (1930 GMT) departing flights from Washington's airports were delayed as much as two hours or more, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. There were also delays at New Yorks' La Guardia Airport and Philadelphia international airport.

Washed-out track operated by CSX Corp. disrupted freight and passenger service south of Washington.

Some 14,000 Dominion power customers in Virginia were without electricity while some 9,200 PEPCO customers in Maryland and the District of Columbia had lost power as of Monday morning, WUSA television station reported.

The fallen White House elm tree, planted in the first years of the 20th century, met an ignominious end. ''Nature took its toll ... The tree is being mulched as we speak,'' Line said.

Reuters SK VP0145