( Tri-State ) - Local communities are getting ready for the Ohio River to rise close to 60 feet next week.
The City of Cincinnati says leaders are monitoring the river. They're working with Hamilton County, Ohio Emergency Management, Duke Energy, ODOT, the Red Cross, and others. Right now, the city says it's focused on protecting personal safety and property, so people should stay out of flood waters, whether on foot or in a vehicle.
The following gates remain closed:
- Harriet St, Gate 7
- Mehring Way, Gate 8
- Carr St, Gate 9
- Ditch Gate, Gate 11
- Penn Central, Gate 5
As of now, there are no plans to install additional flood gates in the city this weekend.
All of Cincinnati's Riverfront Parks are closed because of the water. The Montgomery Inn Boathouse is now closed.
In New Richmond, a State of Emergency has been declared, and that has Clermont County leaders setting up a command center. New Richmond Middle School on Bethel-New Richmond Road will be the site of the command center, coordinating emergency response for the flooding.
The Mayor of Covington, Kentucky, has declared a State of Emergency due to the flooding. City leaders there on Friday closed down River Road in West Covington.
The American Red Cross has a number of shelters for people driven from their homes by the rising river waters:
- Alexandria, KY: Alexandria Community Center, 8236 W Main St
- Lawrenceburg, IN: Lawrenceburg High School, 300 Tiger Blvd
- New Richmond, OH: New Richmond High School (to open Saturday, Feb 24), 1131 Bethel-New Richmond Rd