Malloy asks Obama to declare storm emergency

UPDATE: HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — President Barack Obama has signed an emergency declaration for Connecticut as Hurricane Sandy approaches. The declaration would allow the state to request funding and other assistance in advance of the storm. Governor Dannel Malloy says he spoke with Obama yesterday. He says it's clear federal emergency management officials are taking the storm threat seriously.

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut's governor is asking President Barack Obama to declare a pre-landfall emergency in the state as Hurricane Sandy approaches.

Governor Dannel P. Malloy says he spoke with Obama on Sunday afternoon and it is clear federal emergency management officials are taking the storm threat seriously.

The declaration requested by the governor would allow the state to request funding and other assistance in advance of the storm.

Sandy is expected to come ashore late Monday or early Tuesday, most likely in New Jersey, colliding with a wintry storm moving in from the west and cold air streaming down from the Arctic.

Connecticut is bracing for strong storm surges and power outages that could last for days.