Wind Could Cause Widespread Power Outages in NY

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   Widespread power outages are anticipated as a megastorm roars across upstate New York, bringing 60 mph wind gusts and one to six inches of rain.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo told local emergency response officials around the state Sunday that there will be "very high wind for a very long period of time" when Hurricane Sandy collides with a wintry storm moving in from the west and cold air streaming down from the Arctic.

The National Weather Service has posted high wind warnings and flood watches across the state, effective Monday morning through Tuesday. Most areas are expected to get one to three inches of rain; parts of the Catskills could get as much as six inches.

State officials have lowered water levels along the Erie Canal to winter levels to lessen the chance of flooding.

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press