WASHINGTON (AP) - District of Columbia Mayor Vincent Gray has asked the White House for a federal disaster declaration in anticipation of major damage from Hurricane Sandy.

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District officials say they are expecting between 5 and 10 inches of rain, and they're concerned about flooding in parts of the city. Gray has already declared a local state of emergency.

Chris Geldart, director of the D.C. Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, says people with trees around their homes are advised to stay on the lower levels. He says the storm is unusual because sustained winds of 35-45 miles per hour are expected to last for more than 24 hours, starting around noon Monday.

Pepco regional president Thomas Graham says the utility has requested 3,700 out-of-state workers, the most in its history.