Gov. Chris Christie formally requested President Barack Obama declare a pre-landfall emergency for New Jersey, according to a press release issued by the governor's office.

The declaration would allow the state to request funding and other assistance for actions taken in advance of Hurricane Sandy.

"We have taken this action to assist communities which have taken extraordinary measures to insure the safety of the public during this very serious and dangerous storm," Christie said in the release.

Hurricane Sandy is expected to bring flooding, high winds and heavy rain across the state over a period of 36 hours starting early Monday morning. During a press conference in Pompton Lakes on Sunday afternoon, Christie said the hurricane is poised to hit between Atlantic City and Toms River.

A copy of the governor’s letter to the president is available in the multimedia field of this article.