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Weather Alert

Weather Alert

...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT /8 PM EDT/
TUESDAY...

* WHAT...Heat index values up to 108 expected.

* WHERE...All of southern Illinois, southwest Indiana, western
Kentucky, and southeast Missouri.

* WHEN...Until 7 PM CDT /8 PM EDT/ Tuesday.

* IMPACTS...Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat
illnesses.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of
the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.

Take extra precautions when outside. Wear lightweight and loose
fitting clothing. Try to limit strenuous activities to early morning
or evening. Take action when you see symptoms of heat exhaustion and
heat stroke.

&&

Cave-in-Rock Ferry to close at 6 p.m. Friday

  • Meteorologist

    Nick is the weekday morning meteorologist at News 3. He joined WSIL in June of 2011 soon after graduating from the University of Missouri.

  • Updated
  • 0
ferry cave in rock
By Jon Okerstrom

UPDATE: 12:05 p.m.

°Õ³ó±ðÌýCave-in-Rock Ferry plans to temporarily close at 6 p.m. due to rising floodwaters.

Based on the forecast for the Ohio River, the ferry is expected to remain closed until sometime after March 6.

The Ohio River was at 40.19 ft. on the Shawneetown gauge at 9:30 a.m. Friday, with a crest expected at 42.9 ft. on March 1. 

Based on those numbers, the Cave-in-Rock Ferry is expected to remain out of service until sometime after March 6.  However, the closure could be extended if there is additional substantial rainfall.

Ferry operator Lonnie Lewis anticipates making the last run from the Illinois Landing at 5:50 p.m., with the last run from the Kentucky Landing at 6 p.m.

ORIGINAL STORY

Paducah, Ky (WSIL) -- Rising floodwaters on the Ohio River are likely to force the Cave-in-Rock Ferry to temporarily close by Saturday morning, February 26.

The ferry normally has to halt service when the river reaches about 41.0 ft. on the Shawneetown gauge. The specific time the ferry is forced to close can vary by about a foot due to a number of factors.

2_25 river flood.jpg

Based on Friday morning's river forecast, the river is expected to reach 40.4 ft. at 6 p.m., on Friday and is predicted to go to 41 ft. at 6 a.m., Saturday. The floodwaters are then expected to continue rising to 42.9 ft. on Feb. 28, then hover in that range until about March 5.

2_25 river flood 1.jpg

Ferry operator Lonnie Lewis will closely watch the updated river forecast on Friday morning and attempt to provide a more specific estimate on when floodwaters may force the ferry to close.

The ferry carries about 500 vehicles across the Ohio River in an average day. The ferry provides an economic link for daily commuters who depend on it to get to and from jobs, and serves a tourism link between the Shawnee National Forest and the Amish Community in Crittenden County. When the ferry is forced to close it turns a 10-mile trip between Cave-in-Rock, IL, and Marion, KY, into a 60-mile detour.

For timely information on the ferry’s operating status please go to

The Cave-In-Rock Ferry connects KY 91 with Illinois Route 1 across the Ohio River between Crittenden County, KY, and Hardin County, IL.

The ferry normally starts service at 6:00 a.m., CT, 7 days a week. The last run from the Illinois landing is at 9:40 p.m.. The last run from the Kentucky landing is at 9:50 p.m.