Paducah city staff has announced they will close the city's floodwall against rising Ohio River waters.
Media outlets report city officials made the call Monday night to install the floodgates by the end of the week after the National Weather Service predicted the Ohio River would crest at 49 feet by Jan. 5.
The Ohio River has swelled by the minute after the onslaught of rain over the past few days.
City Engineer Rick Murphy says once crews and equipment are in place, the first 20 gates can be installed in 12 hours or less.
City spokeswoman Pam Spencer says the river seldom gets high enough to trigger closing the floodgates. It happens once about every five years. The last time was the spring of 2011.
Spencer says even with the Ohio River staying on its side of the floodwall, residents should remain alert to possible flooding.
According to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, U.S. Highway 52 in Ballard County would also likely flood.
By noon New Year’s Eve, another portion of Highway 51 in Ballard County is expected to close. Engineers plan to re-access their projections later Wednesday.
Meanwhile, evacuations and preparations were underway in Missouri due to impending flooding, with the Mississippi River at an all-time high.
