NEW RICHMOND, Ohio -- Rhonda Waits carried a box of keepsakes to her car as the Ohio River crept closer to her door.
The box contains Christmas ornaments that her children made when they were little, and she doesn’t want to lose them in the flood.
“We're really worried about losing everything we have,” Waits said. “You know we don't have a whole lot, but we want to keep what we have.”
The Ohio River is expected to rise to 60 feet by Sunday morning, according to the National Weather Service.
Picture on the left taken at 5:45pm. On the right at 10:15pm. River is now expected to crest at 60 feet overnight! We’re live in New Richmond at 11 where people here are getting out. @WCPO #OhioRiverFlooding pic.twitter.com/h1aFudtGCf
— T.J. Parker (@TJParkerWCPO) February 25, 2018
Waits won’t be in New Richmond to see it. She said water comes into her apartment at 59 feet, so she left to stay with a relative who lives away from the river.
The American Red Cross opened a shelter at New Richmond High School for those who have to leave their homes.
Clermont County—A Red Cross Shelter will open Saturday, Feb. 24 by 4:00 P.M. at New Richmond High School. 1131 Bethel-New Richmond Rd, New Richmond, Ohio.
— Cincinnati Red Cross (@CincyRedCross) February 23, 2018
Shelter Manager Gail Schaffer said resources are available for anyone who needs a place to stay until water levels recede.
“People are very resilient, and they will bounce back like they always do,” Schaffer said.
- WEATHER: Get the latest forecast
- PLUS: What to expect as water rises even more
- MAP: Major road closures around the Tri-State
- TRAFFIC: Check real-time road conditions
- PHOTOS: Rising floodwaters across the Tri-State
- LIST: Which places have emergency declarations, shelters
- READ MORE: Why you should NEVER drive on flooded roads
- TIPS: What to do before flooding rains enter your home
- FROM THE VAULT: Flood of 1997 was disastrous, deadly
