HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — President Barack Obama has signed emergency declarations for Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

The declarations will allow officials in each state to request federal funding and other assistance for actions taken in advance of the huge storm.

Forecasters say Hurricane Sandy could blow ashore Monday night or early Tuesday along the New Jersey coast, then cut across into Pennsylvania. Officials say the storm will threaten 50 million people in the most heavily populated corridor of the nation.

Thousands of New Jerseyans are evacuating as the storm bears down on them.

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