Schenectady County has declared a state of emergency because of severe damage to the county highway system.

Heavy rain and flash flooding has forced the county to close roads in Rotterdam, Princetown, Duanesburg and Glenville.

The damage includes washed-out roads and loss of major drainage structures, including culverts and ditches. The city was largely unaffected, but more than 100 houses in the suburbs have lost access to county roads.

County officials said they have mobilized all available resources and have called in help from the city and Niskayuuna.

“The county’s priority is to ensure the safety of our county residents, assess the damage, and restore access to all affected households.” said Susan Savage, chairwoman of the county Legislature.

Officials said most residents will probably have temporary access to roads by Friday. However, highway repairs will continue for the next two to three weeks. Residents are advised to use caution when traveling on the roadways.

Workers are still taking reports of damage. To report damages on county highways, call 356-5344. For damages to state roads, call 393-0863.

Duanesburg highway officials began repairing roads and driveways damaged by overnight flooding today. Several town roads were closed during the storm, but as of this afternoon, only one, North Road near Mariaville Lake, remained closed.

On North Road, a culvert that ran under the road washed away. That left the road surface, but not much else under it.

Highway crews were also working on driveways that washed out in a similar fashion.

“Water bubbles up and washes out the driveway,” Spor said.

The storm has kept crews busy, Spor said, but, in terms of damage, he said the storm of June 14 did more.

In Pattersonville, state Department of Transportation crews were working to repair a section of Route 160 near the New York State Thruway overpass that was apparently washed out by runoff from the Thruway. The road has been closed since Wednesday night and remains closed this afternoon.

In Niskayuna, Fire District 1 Chief Dale Lingenfelter said there were few problems there. He spoke at the site of a minor fire on Lexington Parkway, near Dean Street, an area that is often hit in flash floods.

Though it was raining just before noon, the road remained water-free, Lingenfelter said.