Public Works & Assets Newsroom
Ohio River to Crest Two Feet Above Flood Level
Wednesday March 19, 2008
Crews close roads, install flood walls
The Ohio River is expected to crest two feet above flood stage early Friday morning, prompting the installation of flood walls and the closing of some low-lying roads and parts of several Metro Parks.
The Army Corps of Engineers and the National Weather Service estimate the Ohio River will crest at 2 a.m. Friday at a height of 25 feet at the upper gauge, which is two feet above flood level.
Metropolitan Sewer District crews set up flood walls at 10th and Main Streets and at 27th and Northwestern Parkway this afternoon. Public Works crews are using elevation scales to determine which roads to block. By this evening, the following roads and intersections will be blocked:
- River Road at Indian Hill Trail
- Waldoah Beach and Transylvania Beach are cut off
- Mockingbird Valley Road between River Road and Mellwood Avenue.
- Some sections of River Road near Cox's Park
- Eifler Beach and Juniper Beach are cut off
By Friday morning, Public Works crews expect River Road at Zorn Avenue will be flooded and impassable.
Metropolitan Sewer Director Bud Schardein warned that as the river crests, drivers should watch for water moving toward street levels. “Upper River Road is an area we will watch carefully,” Schardein said. “We would encourage drivers to use caution, especially on Friday morning when the river reaches its highest level.”
Schardein said drivers may have limited access to downtown via the 3rd Street exit off
I-64 later this week because water may cover parts of River Road. Public Works will monitor any hazards and block roads as needed.
Several Metro Parks have been affected by flooding:
- Cherokee Park – low-lying roads are covered by Beargrass Creek overflow.
- Carrie Gaulbert Cox Park – boat ramp and east entrance are closed; west entrance remains open, although parts of the park are underwater and the Ohio River is rising.
- Eva Bandman Park – park closed because of flooding from the Ohio River and Beargrass Creek.
- Riverview Park – boat ramp is closed. Water is creeping into the main parking lot and the Ohio River is rising.
Drivers and park users are encouraged to avoid these areas. It is dangerous and illegal to drive past barricades.
Drivers who notice standing water on streets should call MetroCall at 311. Drivers should not attempt to drive through standing water – even a few inches of moving water can be enough to sweep a car away or damage the vehicle.