CINCINNATI (WKRC) – The National Weather Service predicts the river will crest at 60 feet early Monday morning, prompting the City of Cincinnati to ramp up its emergency response efforts. The activation of the city’s Emergency Operations Center will remain operational throughout the week.
Emergency crews have already conducted two rescues after drivers and drove into floodwaters. Authorities are urging residents to exercise caution, respect road closures, and avoid driving through high water.
Riverfront parks, including Smale, Yeatman’s Cove and Sawyer Point, are now inaccessible due to rapidly rising waters. The area south of Mehring from Central Avenue to the Boathouse is filled with debris and potentially unsafe water, with reduced visibility at night due to removed lighting fixtures. California Woods is also closed as floodwaters have made the park inaccessible.
Residents are encouraged to use the 311Cincy system for non-emergency needs and to report potential sewer backups to the Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) within 48 hours of discovery for possible reimbursement of damages.
The Greater Cincinnati Water Works and Stormwater Management Utility have installed flood gates on Mehring Way and Carr Street and activated flood operations at the Mill Creek Barrier Dam facility in response to the rising river levels.
