All-hands-on-deck: Surge of workers across Pa.

    Government, utility, Red Cross and National Guard officials are bracing for Hurricane Sandy’s arrival in Pennsylvania.

    Peco Energy, the commonwealth’s largest electric and gas utility, says it has 300 electric line crews and 150 tree-trimming crews from as far away as Illinois and Mississippi ready to go. The utility will also have trailers with response crews in flood-prone areas to quickly turn off gas service where necessary.

    Peco spokeswoman Karen Muldoon Geus calls it “an all-hands-on-deck effort.”

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    The Pennsylvania National Guard has told about 16,000 members to be ready to deploy for a storm response if activated.

    The governor and Philadelphia mayor have declared states of emergencies for areas expected to be affected by the storm.

    The American Red Cross has opened evacuation centers in Philadelphia and surrounding communities.

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