Watches and warnings are posted up and down the U.S. east coast as Hurricane Sandy prepares to hit the Atlantic seaboard.

Forecasters with the National Hurricane Center say they do not expect Sandy to weaken as it heads for what could be a direct hit along the Delaware, Maryland and Virginia coast late Monday.

Sandy has maximum sustained winds of nearly 120 kilometers per hour and is expected to remain a large and powerful cyclone. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 165 kilometers from the center.

Up to 60 million people can expect damaging winds, heavy rain and floods, with snow in some areas. Authorities are urging citizens to make sure they stock up on drinkable water, canned food and batteries, and be prepared to spend days without power.

Forecasters say the hurricane, in combination with two winter weather systems moving in from the north, will create what some forecasters are calling a huge and complex “Frankenstorm”.

Washington, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina have declared states of emergency. The White House says President Barack Obama has told federal emergency officials to get ready to move into action when storm-battered states call for help.

Sandy tore through the Caribbean region days ago, killing 43 people in the Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica and Haiti.