The winds haven't started howling and not a drop of rain has hit the ground but Gov. M. Jodi Rell isn't taking any chances.
She's asked President Obama to issue a "pre-landfall" declaration of emergency, which would provide federal money for "activities necessary to ensure public safety and security,'' according to a press release issued by Rell's office.
"It is frankly impossible to know the storm's path with any certainty - yet we need to make sure we are prepared to deal with whatever nature metes out," Rell said in the release. "Whether the storm arrives as a full-on hurricane or as relatively milder rains and strong winds, state and local governments have a critical responsibility to ensure the safety of our residents. This request for a federal emergency declaration will make sure that Connecticut taxpayers will not have to bear the costs of these measures."
Rell isn't the only New England governor doing a bit of pre-storm planning. The Boston Globe reports that Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick has already declared a state of emergency.