BOSTON (FOX 25 / MyFoxBoston.com) Governor Deval Patrick has declared a state of emergency for Massachusetts.
The governor made the announcement in a press conference on Saturday afternoon. He says this declaration enables the state to cut through some of the red tape in receiving necessary supplies that he would like to access prior to Sandy's landfall.
Gov. Patrick has also called out the Mass. National Guard. By Monday, a total of 1,000 guardsman will be on duty to help assist in evacuations, search and rescue, and transporting emergency personnel. The governor says they will also assist law enforcement in security and traffic control.
The governor has also asked President Barack Obama for a pre-landfall emergency declaration for direct federal assistance. Similar measures were taken prior to Irene in 2011.
Gov. Patrick's declaration comes as meteorologists predict high winds and heavy rains for southern New England.
FOX 25's Kevin Lemanowicz says New England will experience strong winds ranging between 30 and 60 mph with even higher gusts. He expects heavy rains and significant coastal flooding with heavy surf and big waves. Kevin says coastal effects will be most dramatic, but trees and power lines will mean power outages widespread.
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