Pennsylvania governor bracing for cold

HARRISBURG, Pa., Jan. 8 (UPI) -- The governor of Pennsylvania signed an emergency declaration to ease restrictions on gas and heating fuel deliveries because of cold weather.

The eastern half of the United States is bracing for a snowstorm that left parts of the Midwest United States covered in half a foot of snow. Cold weather in parts of Florida broke records as the temperature in Tampa fell to 27 degrees Fahrenheit and Lakeland endured temperatures as low as 30 degrees.

The National Weather Service predicts western Pennsylvania can expect more than 5 inches of snow as the latest winter storm makes its way east.

Pennsylvania's Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell signed an emergency declaration easing deliveries of propane and heating fuels because of the extreme winter weather.

His decision waives federal restrictions on the number of service hours for truck drivers. Drivers are required to rest after spending 11 hours on the road. Rendell's declaration extends the limits to 14 hours behind the wheel.

The governor's office said the declaration is in force until Jan. 21.