BOSTON (AP/CBS) — Massachusetts officials have opened the state emergency operations center in Framingham to get ready for Hurricane Sandy.

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency opened the center at 9 a.m. Sunday to begin preparing to help cities and towns respond to the storm, which is expected to coastal flooding and strong winds that could knock out power across the Northeast.

Officials from a variety of federal, state, local, private and volunteer agencies will be staffing the emergency operations center to coordinate the deployment of manpower, equipment and technical expertise.

Gov. Deval Patrick declared a state of emergency for Massachusetts on Saturday and put National Guard troops on standby.

Weather forecasters say New England should see the brunt of the storm Monday afternoon into Tuesday morning.

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