The University’s safety and security team is preparing for floods that could hit the District in the next 48 hours.

Crews are battening down campus as the District enters a flood watch, which will be in place through Tuesday evening.

Senior Associate Vice President for Safety and Security Darrell Darnell said workers are clearing leaves and debris from drains and will put down sandbags to hold back or redirect moving water if necessary.

Rains began pummeling Virginia beaches Sunday afternoon and are expected to pour five to 10 inches of rainfall on the D.C. area by Tuesday. The eye of the storm is expected to hit the District Monday night, with the storm’s peak lasting from noon Sunday to Monday evening.

Sandy is also predicted to cause storm surge flooding, or dangerously high water levels after a storm moves over land.