SCHENECTADY — The city has issued a state of emergency for homes on and near Nott Terrace impacted by Sunday morning’s mudslide that trapped a man inside his home for almost an hour and led to the evacuation of at least seven people.
City officials determined on Sunday that the building at 15 Barney St. and the garage at 2 Daggett Terrace need to be demolished, which will occur early Monday morning. The fate of 11 Barney St., which was found with water in its basement, and the buildings below on Nott Terrace are still to be decided.
Schenectady Fire Chief Ray Senecal also said they won’t know how to shore up the hill above Nott Terrace until demolition of the two condemned structures is completed.
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Demolition companies could be seen on Barney Street inspecting the buildings before submitting their bids on the project.
The mudslide occurred about 1:15 a.m. Sunday at the end of Barney Street.
In addition to the Barney Street properties, the state of emergency was issued for 213, 219, 223, 225 and 227 Nott Terrace, as well as 2 Daggett Terrace, according to a news release from the city.
The emergency order was effective beginning at 9:45 a.m. Sunday and will be in place until it is rescinded.
A total of 11 people were evacuated from their homes because of the mudslide, according to Senecal.
At least five residents were evacuated from 223 Nott Terrace and at least two were evacuated from 213 Nott Terrace, police Sgt. Jeffrey McCutcheon said.
The building at 225 Nott Terrace also had an order posted on the door for it to be evacuated. It is unclear if anybody had to be evacuated from there.
McCutcheon said 11 and 15 Barney St., located at the top of the hill, are vacant.
A 20 year-old man, who has not been identified, was trapped inside 223 Nott Terrace for almost an hour early Sunday morning. Senecal said the man was in his bedroom when the mudslide occurred. He added that the man was “basically encased” by mud and debris when he was found.
Senecal said the man suffered injuries to his chest and legs.
He was airlifted to Albany Medical Center to be treated for what Senecal said were non-life-threatening injuries. Senecal said he was in stable condition but was being held overnight for observations.
While two other people were also injured in the mudslide, Senecal said their injuries were minor. They were taken to Ellis Hospital and were released.
Power and gas were cut off to at least three of the buildings on the affected stretch of Nott Terrace by National Grid workers.
According to McCutcheon, the American Red Cross was providing shelter to those who were evacuated from their homes. He did not have any additional details about the evacuees’ status.
Nott Terrace is closed from Chapel Street to State Street in both directions until further notice. Employees who use the Chapel Street parking garage will be granted access. Detours are in place.
Sunday’s mudslide recalls the fatal one that occurred 22 years ago in the city. In January 1996, the steep hill off Broadway collapsed, covering the street with rocks. One man died as a result of the mudslide.
Mayor Gary McCarthy praised the emergency crew but called Sunday’s mudslide “unfortunate.”
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Categories: -News-, Schenectady County
