President Barack Obama has been briefed on Hurricane Sandy and the White House is urging people in the storm's path to listen to local officials and monitor weather reports.

The White House says the president was briefed on the storm late Wednesday and again Thursday morning. Spokesman Jay Carney says federal emergency management officials have been working with local officials to prepare.

Carney says citizens living along the Eastern Seaboard should monitor weather reports and listen to local officials in the days ahead.

Obama will continue to receive updates on the storm.

The hurricane is currently a Category 2 storm, bringing heavy rain and wind to the Caribbean. It could affect a large swath of the Northeast and the Mid-Atlantic early next week.