Mother Nature inundated communities along the Ohio River with flood waters over the weekend.
With rain and rapid snow melt to blame, Ohio River levels exceeded Friday flood level predictions by at least three feet, sending residents scrambling to save valuables as homes and basements were flooded.
At Maysville, with a flood wall system to protect it to more than 70 feet, the river crested at 54.8 feet, barely the same as where it reached on March 13, 2011.
Backwaters and the recreation park/campground along the river, on the river side of the protective levy, were flooded. Not all camping vehicles were moved out in time, leaving some submerged to nearly their tops.
Several campgrounds in Ohio and Kentucky experienced similar loss of equipment, unable to move units to higher ground.
Debris in the Ohio River also forced the Augusta Ferry to cease operating until it was safe to make its crossings.
In Augusta the river had been seeping in to the city from the west, along Long Stretch Road, and by late Saturday had reached the area of the school, along Second Street.
On Riverside Drive, water covered the street in places, but spared historic homes.
On Second and Park Streets residents were not as lucky with flood waters rising high enough to get into the living area of several houses.
Business' were also interrupted as several flooded streets were closed in each city and village, in addition to U.S. 52 being closed at Higgnsport, Ohio, due to flood waters, officials said.
Ohio residents in Manchester, Aberdeen, Ripley, Higginsport and locations in between dragged camper trailers and vehicles to higher ground and braced for the expected flooding of lower areas.
In Manchester the river crested on Sunday at 3 a.m., at 54.8 feet, said Mayor Troy Jolly.
The Salvation Army responded to the village and Flood Kits will be available at the Manchester Community Building, he said.
"We were able, with the assistance of the Salvation Army, to open the Manchester Community Building and provided a shelter and a few meals for the families affected,” Jolly said, thanking Manchester Police Department for monitoring the river levels throughout the evenings while continuing their duties.
At the Aberdeen Park, children's play equipment was surrounded with water, in addition to filling the riverfront picnic areas nearly to the roof. Homes elevated since previous floods were islands for a stretch of roads south of U.S. 52.
In West Union, Ohio, Ohio Brush Creek water levels rose and fell like a yo-yo, ranging from a few feet deep to more then 17 feet overnight Saturday to Sunday.
In Blue Licks, the Licking River rose slightly into flood stage then receded by Sunday.
According to the U.S. National Weather Service in Wilmington, Ohio, water levels along the Ohio River are expected to remain above flood stage for several communities, including Meldahl Dam area, through at least Thursday.
Officials continue to remind drivers not to cross flooded roadways.
The Ledger Independent is online at: http://www.maysville-online.com