Hundreds of residents in Port Jervis and Deerpark have been evacuated after local officials declared a state of emergency.

Flooding along the Delaware and Neversink rivers has forced many roads in and out of both areas to be closed. Emergency shelters are also being set up for those who have been forced to leave their homes. Orange County emergency crews and the Red Cross have designated Port Jervis High School as a shelter. Officials originally expected both rivers to crest Thursday morning, but say the Delaware may have crested late Wednesday. Evacuated residents will have a better idea of when they can return home after the rivers have both crested.

Deerpark Supervisor Mark House advises all residents to stay out of the water. He says it is septic and unhealthy. To see House discuss the critical situation, click here.