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County To Open Flooding Command Center

cincinnati.com

Clermont County officials say county and local police and fire departments and other emergency officials will set up tomorrow at the New Richmond Middle School, more than 20 miles southeast of Cincinnati. 

Ohio Department of Transportation authorities, Duke Energy and the American Red Cross will also have representatives. The Red Cross will open a shelter Saturday afternoon at the New Richmond High School, and the Tri-County Animal Response Team is working on opening a pet shelter. Authorities are urging households to have an evacuation plan, as forecasters expect the Ohio River to hit its highest level in more than two decades. New Richmond's village council earlier declared a state of emergency. The National Weather Service says the river topped 56 feet early this morning  in the Cincinnati area, 4 feet above flood stage.  Forecasters expect it to reach 59.4 feet by Tuesday morning. That would be the highest since 64.7 feet during 1997 floods that claimed more than two dozen lives.