Ogdensburg City and Canton Villages officials have declared emergency status throughout the municipalities as hurricane Sandy approaches the North Country.

Last night, Massena officials declared a state of emergency in that community, and all St. Lawrence County school districts are closing early today.

SUNY Potsdam, meanwhile, plans to cancel campus activities after 4:30 p.m. today. 

In notices issued Monday morning, Canton Mayor David Curry and Ogdensburg City Manager John M. Pinkerton ordered all departments and agencies of their respective municipalities "shall take whatever steps are or may be necessary to protect life, property and public infrastructure or to provide emergency assistance."

The advisory asks travelers to use caution while driving and to observe any road closures.

Officials advised that the storm may cause flooding in rivers, streams and lakes which could cause unsafe driving conditions.

The emergency declaration in Canton took effect at 11 a.m. today.

In Ogdensburg the state of emergency will be lifted Nov. 3.

Officials from both communities say the status maybe rescinded earlier or extended based on the severity of the storm.

Several school districts have cancelled classes as the storm approaches. Most recently SUNY Potsdam announced it will close at 4 p.m. and announced the cancellation of all campus activities that occur after that time.

Internet service provider SLIC has posted an outages page to help keep customers informed at www.slic.com. Anyone without internet service can call 1-855-ISITDOWN to hear a advising the status of service.

Emergency statuses have also been declared in Massena. For more news on the storm see this story.

For information on cancellations click here.