Midwest Rivers Rise, Threaten New Flooding

Rain-swollen rivers in Indiana and Kentucky kept rising Friday, threatening more flooding in states where high water has caused at least one death, untold injuries and inflicted millions of dollars in damage.

Trees and telephone poles poked out from receding floodwaters along some stretches of the Ohio River as residents began assessing the damage.

Indiana Gov. Evan Bayh asked President Bush to issue a disaster declaration for 40 of his state’s 92 counties, while in northern Kentucky the Red Cross opened a shelter for people driven from their homes by the deluge.

Shipping was disrupted along the Ohio River near Cincinnati, but the water there was beginning to recede after cresting Thursday morning at 57 feet--five feet above flood level. By Friday morning, the river had dropped a foot and the National Weather Service predicted it would be down to 52 feet by Sunday.

Elsewhere in Ohio, the National Weather Service said flood warnings were still in effect for the Scioto River in Pike and Marion counties, the St. Joseph River, the Tiffin River and Maumee River at Waterville.

The Ohio River was not expected to crest until Sunday at Evansville, Ind., where it was forecast to be about two feet above flood stage. Crests up to 10 feet above flood stage were expected along the lower Ohio River in extreme western Kentucky next week, the weather service said.

About 2,000 homes have been evacuated across Indiana since last Saturday.

Bayh said he hoped to hear by the weekend whether Bush would declare the affected counties a disaster area. Such a declaration would provide low-interest loans and federal grants to flood victims.

Jerry Hauer, director of Indiana’s Emergency Management Agency, estimated flood damage at $7.3 million, including $2.1 million to Indianapolis.

In Cincinnati, the U.S. Coast Guard barred towboats on the Ohio River from moving oil and hazardous chemical barges into Cincinnati harbor at night if the towed barges combine to extend more than 600 feet long.

Normal tow loads are about 1,000 feet long.

Steve Frasher, vice president of operations for The Ohio River Co., said the regulation would force shippers to make more trips with smaller loads, driving costs upward.