President signs emergency declaration for Connecticut

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — President Barack Obama has signed an emergency declaration for Connecticut as Hurricane Sandy approaches.

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

Malloy says he spoke with Obama on Sunday. He says it's clear federal emergency management officials are taking the storm threat seriously.

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.