The latest radar snapshot of the region from the National Weather Service. Image provided | National Weather Service

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The rain’s not going to stop. The National Weather Service is predicting storms throughout today and Thursday, with the highest chances of rain occurring Thursday night and Friday morning.

While the region is no stranger to flooding and severe weather, there are still measures people should take to prepare for the ongoing rain and possible flooding. 

Flash flooding and downed trees and debris remain threats throughout the region. A flood watch is in effect through Wednesday evening. What’s more, the Ohio River is expected to crest at 37.7 feet at 8 a.m. on Friday as the region’s many waterways drain into the river. If that occurs, it will be the highest level reached so far this year, according to the National Weather Service. 

A chart showing the water level of the Ohio River at Cincinnati. The solid blue line indicates levels in the past. The purple dotted line indicates forecast levels. Water level is expected to crest on Friday at 8 a.m., as of midday Wednesday. Click for larger image. Chart provided | National Weather Service

That’s not enough to actually flood the river, a National Weather Service told LINK nky. But it is just below the level recommended for people to begin taking action to mitigate the water level. 

“We still have a lot of people without power,” said Steve Hensley, the Kenton County emergency management and Homeland Security director. Hensley added that the property damage as of Wednesday afternoon was “minimal,” but the likelihood of rain through the rest of the week, “certainly hampers the cleanup.” No injuries had been reported, as of Wednesday morning in Kenton County.

Campbell County Economic and Community Development Director Justin Otto, who’s also served as the county’s information officer, informed LINK nky that Duke Energy was bringing in extra crews from out of the state to deal with the damage.

Boone County Engineer Tom Logan said two public works crews had been dispatched to the Verona and Petersburg areas to engage in cleanup over night.

There were about 17,000 Duke customers, several hundred Owen Electric customers and 10 Kentucky Utilities Company customers without power, as of late morning Wednesday. Click the links below to see outage maps for the region’s three providers:

You can report downed power lines due to falling trees and debris to the three companies below:

Hensley recommended residents contact their respective city public works’ departments for help with clearing downed trees and debris. 

Banner image provided | National Weather Service

In terms of preparing for possible flooding for later this week, the National Weather Service recommends having multiple ways of getting weather information: If you’re used to going to the TV or the internet for weather updates, still have a backup, like a battery-powered radio, on hand to get updates if you lose power. Charge all necessary devices and electronics while you still can, and stay in touch with your friends and loved ones who can give you updates as things occur. 

Do not, under any circumstances, attempt to drive or walk through flooded roadways. It only takes 6 inches of moving water to knock you off your feet, according to the National Weather service.

You can get more flood safety tips at weather.gov/safety/flood. You can get wind safety tips at weather.gov/safety/wind.

Each county issues regular updates about the weather. The Kentucky Emergency Management Office will also issue major weather alerts. You can follow them at their social media pages below for regular updates:

Each county also has its own emergency notification system, which residents can learn about at the links below. All systems are free.

You can view the precipitation radar below or at the National Weather Service’s dedicated radar page. Stay up to date with announcements and warnings at weather.gov or at the National Weather Service’s X page.

Refresh the page for up-to-date radar results.