All of downtown Poughkeepsie has been closed to traffic as a search-and-rescue operation is underway following the collapse of two buildings late Monday afternoon, trapping at least one person, according to the City of Poughkeepsie Fire Department.
The buildings, located at the corner of Academy and Cannon streets, collapsed around 4:15 p.m. Monday shortly after a severe thunderstorm passed through.
Many roads in downtown Poughkeepsie are closed as a result.
An unidentified woman is reportedly trapped. It is unclear if any other people are also trapped.
During the collapse, the larger building, a vacant seven-story structure at 19 Academy St., fell onto the smaller three-story building at 15 Academy St., causing it to collapse as well, Det. Sgt. Sean Fitzgerald.
The City of Poughkeepsie Police is assisting the Poughkeepsie Fire Department in their response and have closed the downtown area to all non-emergency vehicles for at least the next several hours, said Fitzgerald
This continues to be a developing story. Check back to Daily Voice for updates.
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