CINCINNATI — The Ohio River crested Sunday at its highest level in two decades, leaving riverside residents relieved but cautious as forecasters warned that flooding problems will linger much of the week ahead.
The National Weather Service said the river crested around 6 a.m. at 57.7 feet, or 7 feet below the 1997 level that caused severe, widespread flooding in the Cincinnati area and in Kentucky. Forecaster Brian Coniglio said the river will remain above the 52-foot flood stage most of the week.
Melted snow and rainfalls caused flooding that swamped roads, businesses, and homes in scattered low-lying areas in the Cincinnati region.
“It’s going to very gradually drop,” Coniglio said. “It’s going to take a while.”
The weather service expects a few dry days ahead will help the situation.
“I’d say there’s a collective sigh of relief at this point,” said Greg Roberts, village administrator for New Richmond, on the river 20 miles southeast of Cincinnati. “The morning fog is rising and the river, fortunately, is falling.”
He said at least five homes were flooded and many roads in the area had water covering them, making travel difficult.
“It’s still at a precarious level,” he said.
Roberts said people who voluntarily evacuated apparently stayed with family or friends. The American Red Cross had opened a shelter Saturday but closed it Sunday.
He said the village of some 2,500 people has taken steps to make sure residents, especially those who weren’t around for the 1997 floods, were aware of flooding dangers. He said the current flooding “is manageable;” another couple feet higher would have affected many more people.