The Ohio River crest was cresting at more than 60 feet on Monday, bringing the possibility of more flooding in communities along the river, according to the Office of Water Prediction.
Forecasters say residents should expect significant flooding in East End, California and New Richmond, Ohio, as well as backwater floods in Silver Grove, Kentucky, and riverfront buildings flooded in Aurora, Indiana.
Stretches of U.S. Route 52 are expected to become flooded, along with additional low-lying roads near the river, and backwater flooding is expected along the Little Miami, Great Miami and Licking rivers, forecasters said. The main levels of homes in the East End could also become flooded.
The last time the river experienced a crest of 60 feet was in February 2018. On Saturday, the Ohio Department of Transportation started installing 15 floodgates at the Riverfront Transit Center under Second Street to prevent the river from spilling onto Fort Washington Way.
Freeze warning for area beginning late Monday night
Cincinnatians know the joke: If you don’t like the weather, just stick around. It’ll change in a minute.
So in the wake of high winds, tornadoes, torrential rains and flooding, it’s no surprise that the National Weather Service office at Wilmington has issued a freeze warning from late Monday night through Tuesday morning.
Sub-freezing temperatures are forecast in the lower and middle 20s. In portions of east central and southeast Indiana, northeast and northern Kentucky, and central, south central, southwest, and west central Ohio.
Counties in the warning area include:
- Indiana: Wayne, Fayette, Union, Franklin, Ripley, Dearborn, Ohio and Switzerland.
- Kentucky: Carroll, Gallatin, Boone, Kenton, Campbell, Owen, Grant, Pendleton, Bracken, Robertson, Mason, Lewis, Hardin, Mercer
- Ohio: Auglaize, Darke, Shelby, Logan, Union, Delaware, Miami, Champaign, Clark, Madison, Franklin, Licking, Preble, Montgomery, Greene, Fayette, Pickaway, Fairfield, Butler, Warren, Clinton, Ross, Hocking, Hamilton, Clermont, Brown, Highland, Adams, Pike and Scioto.
Forecasters say that from late Monday night through Tuesday morning, frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing. Be prepared for below-freezing temperatures Tuesday and Wednesday morning.
Be prepared to take steps to protect tender plants from the cold. Consider draining in-ground sprinkler systems and covering above-ground pipes.
Flood waters will still be a hazard
The Ohio River at Cincinnati remained under a flood warning Monday, with forecasters urging residents to use caution if traveling on the roadways.
“Turn around, don`t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles,” the National Weather Service said in a warning statement on its website.
Flooding, combined with the freezing temperatures, could make getting caught in floodwater even more dangerous. The Cincinnati Police Department says to be sure to obey road closed signage in areas experiencing standing high water for your safety and that of first responders.
Road beds may be washed out under flood waters. Never drive through flooded roadways. You do not know the condition of the road under the water.
The flooding caused many road closures throughout Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky on Sunday. It even resulted in some residents being asked to leave their homes and first responders launching boat rescues to free those trapped by rising water.
Although the heaviest rainfall has come and gone, forecasters are still warning of high water and flooding impacts into the work week. The rain is expected to relent on Monday.
The weather service says Monday will be sunny before becoming partly sunny in the afternoon, with a high temperature near 59 degrees. Some cloudy conditions are expected at night and the temperature will reach a low of 25 degrees.
Cincinnati forecast
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 47. North wind 5 to 7 mph.
Tuesday night: widespread frost after 4 a.m. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 30. Light and variable wind.
Wednesday: A slight chance of rain after 2 p.m. Widespread frost before 9 a.m. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 55. Calm wind becoming south 5 to 7 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Wednesday night: A chance of rain, then rain and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 a.m. Low around 45. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Thursday: Rain before 8 a.m., then showers likely, mainly after 2 p.m. High near 60. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Thursday night: Showers likely, mainly before 8 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 55.
Friday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37.
Saturday: Areas of frost. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 59.
Saturday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 38.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66.
Source: National Weather Service.
