The National Weather Service said the Ohio River will crest at 50 feet in Paducah on Thursday.
Crews have installed 14 floodgates on the city’s floodwall as a precautionary measure. Without the floodgates, at 50 feet the river would begin to flow into the city’s downtown area.
The river is expected the remain at 50 feet for approximately a week before dropping.
A remaining nine floodgates will be installed if the water level is forecast to increase.