Flooding From Tropical Storm Irene Forces Evacuations In Western Mass.

CHESTER (AP) -- State emergency management officials say hundreds of residents in several western Massachusetts communities were evacuated as torrential rain from Tropical Storm Irene caused rivers and streams to rise quickly.

Check: Interactive Radar | Current Conditions | Weather Map Center

Included in the evacuations was an assisted living facility in Greenfield. The National Guard helped with evacuations in at least three towns.

No injuries were reported.

A stretch of Interstate 91 was closed because of flooding from the Deerfield River.

Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency director Kurt Schwartz said the situation is being closely monitored but there were indications Sunday evening that waters were beginning to recede.

Gov. Deval Patrick said initial reports that some dams may have breached proved to be unfounded.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)