State of emergency in effect for NY ahead of Sandy's arrival

(AP) - Gov. Andrew Cuomo has declared a state of emergency in New York as a precaution and to clear the way for local government to tap state resources in the event of major damage from storms next week.
He says Friday the unpredictability of Hurricane Sandy and other weather that could combine for a "super storm" make it important to prepare, citing the experience of last year's back-to-back tropical storms.
Cuomo says the state is also seeking a federal pre-disaster designation to have the National Guard on alert if needed and access to federal resources to prepare.
He said he was going to do some campaigning this weekend out of state for President Barack Obama, but he's staying in New York.
Red Cross hurricane preparedness