Paducah prepares for flooding as Ohio River crest forecast rises
PADUCAH, Ky., (KBSI) — The City of Paducah has initiated the floodgate installation process after the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Water Prediction Service updated the forecast crest for the Ohio River at Paducah.
The latest forecast shows the Ohio River cresting at 50.0 feet on April 10, a three-foot increase from yesterday’s forecast. City Engineer Greg Guebert attributed the rise to heavy rain in the Ohio River valley.
The City’s Public Works and Engineering departments, assisted by the Paducah-McCracken County Joint Sewer Agency, are preparing the gate openings for installation.
A contractor, Jim Smith Contracting, will begin installing the floodgates on Monday, April 7.
Pedestrian and vehicle traffic are prohibited on or near the floodwall and floodgates. Brief road closures are expected during installation.
Six of the City’s 12 pump stations are currently in operation due to the rising river level. Additional pump stations will be activated as the river continues to rise.
The floodgates were last installed in February 2019. According to the City, if the floodwall and floodgate were not in place, water would flow down Broadway when the Ohio River reaches 50 feet.
