Governor Corbett declares state of emergency ahead of Sandy

File photo by Scott Detrow

(Bloomsburg) -- Governor Corbett is declaring a state of disaster emergency for Pennsylvania amid increasingly dire forecasts that show a so-called super storm hitting it and neighboring states in coming days.

Corbett's move comes as state emergency management officials urged residents to have three days of supplies at home — including batteries, water and food — in case of widespread power outages.

Federal forecasters say a brewing monster weather system involving Hurricane Sandy is expected to pummel the East Coast harder than Hurricane Irene, which last year left hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians without power and eventually led to historic flooding.

Sandy is expected to merge with a wintry front to create a mess that some have dubbed "Frankenstorm" with hundreds of miles of steady, damaging winds and rain.

The proclamation authorizes state agencies to use all available resources and personnel, as necessary, to cope with the emergency situation. 

The governor made the move based on the recommendation of PEMA Director Glenn Cannon and forecasts from the National Weather Service. The declaration does not include travel restrictions.

The commonwealth's ReadyPA website provides information on things like emergency kit checklists for the home and car and emergency plan templates. People can call 1-888-9-READY-PA.