The worst of the rainfall in Greater Cincinnati is over as of Sunday morning. But Ohio River flooding is about to get worse.

Sunday morning, the National Weather Service issued a flood statement saying the flood warning continues for the Ohio River at Cincinnati until further notice. The Ohio River has reached moderate flooding levels for the first time since 2021, according to the National Water Prediction Service.

As of Sunday morning, the river had risen to 56.55 feet at 5 a.m. Moderate flooding occurs at 56 feet.

At this level, the National Weather Service says to expect significant flooding of the California area. Backwater flooding along the Little Miami River affects basements and some first-level flooding of businesses and homes, with low-lying areas from California to Newtown also experiencing this flooding. The East End experiences flooding of some streets, basements of homes and businesses, as well as low-lying areas near New Richmond in Clermont County. At this stage, State Route 8 in Kentucky floods in low areas, as well as State Route 56 in Indiana and Route 52 in Ohio.

The Ohio River at Cincinnati reached flood stage, which is 52 feet, Saturday afternoon and continued to rise.

Ohio River Crest expected Monday

The river is expected to crest at 60 feet on Monday.

At this flood stage, expect significant flooding in East End, California, and New Richmond in Ohio, with backwater floods in Silver Grove, KY, and riverfront buildings in Aurora, Indiana. At 60 feet, the weather service says stretches of U.S. 52 are flooded, with numerous additional low-lying roads near the river flooded. Backwater flooding along the Little Miami, Great Miami and Licking Rivers also result in road closures. Some main levels of homes may flood in the East End sections of Cincinnati.

Crews installed flood gates in downtown Cincinnati Saturday afternoon for the second time ever to prepare for the Ohio River flooding. The 15 gates will, hopefully, keep the Ohio River off of Fort Washington Way, which carries Interstate 71 and U.S. 50.

The last and only time the gates were used was in 2018, when the Ohio River rose to 60.53 feet.

The Ohio River at Cincinnati is under a flood warning until further notice, according to the National Weather Service in Wilmington. A flood warning means flooding is imminent or occurring.

Little Miami River at Milford is also under a flood warning from Sunday morning to Sunday afternoon. The Great Miami River at Miamitown is under a flood warning until Wednesday morning.

Detailed 7-day forecast for Cincinnati

Sunday: Showers, mainly before 11 a.m. The temperature falls to around 37 by 2 p.m. with northeast winds 14 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. The chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Sunday Night: A slight chance of showers before 2 a.m. Cloudy, with a low around 31 and northeast winds 6 to 10 mph. The chance of precipitation is 20%.

Monday: A chance of showers after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 55 and northwest winds 5 to 15 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 26 mph. The chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Monday Night: A chance of rain and snow showers before 8 p.m., then a slight chance of snow showers between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 24 and northwest winds 11 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. The chance of precipitation is 30%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 43.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 27.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 52.

Wednesday Night: Showers likely, mainly after 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. The chance of precipitation is 70%.

Thursday: Showers with a high near 59. The chance of precipitation is 80%.

Thursday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. The chance of precipitation is 40%.

Friday: A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 55. The chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 38.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 57.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Ohio River reaches moderate flooding levels for first time in 4 years