On Monday the National Weather Service in Paducah issued current or future warnings from Owenboro to Cairo. They say the Ohio River at Cairo will reach flood stage of 40 feet by Monday night, and could stay above that mark through February, with a crest at 43.5 feet by the end of the month.
Upstream, the Ohio is already at flood stage at the Grand Chain Dam. It will continue to rise through the beginning of March. Most points are expected to remain in the minor flood category, however, Paducah and Grand Chain are now expected to reach the moderate category.
By the first of March, moderate flooding could occur at more locations on the Ohio, and south from Cairo along Ballard, Carlisle, Hickman and Fulton counties.
Current river levels and forecasts:
The Ohio River at Cairo was at 39.8 feet on Monday morning. Flood stage is at 40 feet. It is expected to crest at 45.5 feet on Feb. 26.
The river at Grand Chain had reached 44.5 feet on Monday morning. Flood stage is at 42 feet. It should crest on Feb. 27 at 50 feet.
At Brookport, the river was at 39.9 feet Monday. Flood stage is 37 feet. It's expected to reach 44.5 feet on March 1.
The river at Paducah was at 38.9 feet Monday. Flood stage is 39 feet. Crest is expected at 43 feet on March 1.
The Ohio River at Smithland Lock and Dam on Monday had reached 37.7 feet. Flood stage is 40 feet. It's expected to crest March 1 at 41.5 feet.
On the Net:
NWS Hydrological Page for Our AreaPaducah Weather Service webpage