The greater Schroon Lake-North Hudson-Horicon area is experiencing wide spread power outages and flooding, that kept first responders and utility workers, busy throughout Thursday night.

First responders rescued more than a dozen people from their homes along the Schroon River in Warren County.

Downed trees and power lines, as well as rising water severely hampered many rescue efforts.

On Friday, Essex County announced a State of Emergency.Essex County announced a State of Emergency.

“By order of Essex County Chairman of the Board Shaun Gilliland, Essex County has declared a state of Emergency with a limited travel advisory due to flooding. Also, be advised Essex County Complex is closed with the exception of essential personnel”

Residents and visitor are being asked to stay off the roads. Washouts of entire sections of blacktop have been reported in several areas, including an area near Letsonville Road in Paradox.

Essex County has a full list of road closures, here.

Patty Savarie reports Shore Road is closed wash out. Photo above.

In downtown Schroon, Rogers Brook Outlet was gushing hundreds of thousands of gallons of water into an already high lake.

High winds and flooding are expected into Friday night. National Grid reported more than 8,000 customers throughout the North Country are without electricity as of 5:30 a.m. Schroon Lake Central School is among numerous schools in the region closed Friday because of weather-related problems.

According to a report in the Post-Star, North Warren County, home to hundreds of Schroon lakers living near Horicon and the hamlet of Adirondack, was the hardest hit area.

Northern Warren County seemed the worst off, not just from high winds but from flooding-related problems as several inches of rain fell in parts of the area. Southern Hamilton County, just west of Warren County, received over 5 inches of rain in 24 hours, according to the National Weather Service.

"We've got a lot of washouts. Highway crews are all over dealing with them," Warren County Emergency Services Coordinator Brian LaFlure said.

Horicon Supervisor Matt Simpson said a number of roads in his town were closed or reduced to one lane as of 8 a.m. Friday.

"We had a lot of water damage, a lot of washouts and craters in roads. A lot of roads are down to one lane," he said.

Essex County declared a state of emergency because of extensive wind and water damage.

A Warren County dispatcher reported numerous secondary road closures because of washouts and downed trees, the website showing Route 8 in Horicon and Hague and in Johnsburg being affected overnight as well as Bartman Road, Thirteenth Lake Road, Garnet Lake Road, Igerna Road, Olmstedville Road and Fox Lane among others in Johnsburg and Chester.

This is a developing story. Please check back later for more information.