Montgomery Co. in state of emergency

By: Web Staff

Voluntary evacuations are in place in Montgomery County. Flooding had prompted the New York State Thruway Authority to close the east and westbound exit ramps at Interchange 28 this morning. Emergency Management officials say they've seen quickly rising water through much of the county. Joining us now to talk about the situation there is Dwight Schwabrow.

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MONTGOMERY COUNTY, N.Y. -- Montgomery County remains under a state of emergency.

Access into and out of the area is limited for emergency use and officials are urging people to get out of the way if they live near rising flood waters. As of right now, all evacuations are voluntary.

The Office of Emergency Management says communities along the Mohawk River are experiencing minor flooding, mostly in areas that went relatively unaffected by Irene.

Dwight Schwabrow, director of Emergency Management, said, "The flooding is coming from a different direction and affecting different other areas of the county that were spared by Irene. We're also dealing with a different king of flooding. Last case we had a surge of water that came down the Schoharie Creek and did a massive amount of damage along its wake. This time we have a much more slowly rising body of water that's finding our way into communities along the river."

The EOM has shelters operating throughout the county, and tonight's Beach-Nut rally has been canceled.

The Barkley and McNulty shelters in Amsterdam are now closed. The shelters at Fort Plain Central School and Fond-Fultonville High School are still open.