Hartford (AP) - Connecticut is using its emergency operations center to monitor a storm and potential flooding.

Gov. M. Jodi Rell and Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele say they've ordered the center to be activated this morning because of a storm that could drop significant amounts of rain across the state.

Rell says the storm will bring two straight days of heavy rain and could cause widespread flooding.

Southern and southwestern Connecticut likely will bear the brunt of the storm. The emergency center will be in contact will local emergency management offices.

Forecasts show southern New England will receive 3 to 6 inches of rain. Up to 8 inches are possible in some spots.

The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for Connecticut beginning this afternoon and continuing into Tuesday.