A mild earthquake struck upstate New York west of Albany yesterday, prompting Gov. Cuomo to order the inspection of a hydro-power dam.

Cuomo said the 2.9-magnitude earthquake was small. But he ordered an immediate inspection of nearby infrastructure, including the Blenheim-Gilboa Dam in Schoharie County.

The quake, centered near Altamont, occurred as the region braced for Hurricane Irene and four days after a 5.8 magnitude earthquake centered in Virginia was felt in the area.