The Ohio River Levee under water. Photo by Janelle Patterson

The Washington County Alert System sent out a text just after noon stating that the Ohio River’s crest prediction was raised to 40.1 feet and notifying local residents that parts of Front, Second, Greene, and Putnam streets were closed to allow for merchants move out their wares and for residents to move their belongings.

According to the National Weather Service Marietta is considered in a major flood at 40 feet.

Amy Tucker, IT Specialist for the Marietta City Administration sent out an email to media asking that local news organizations let the public know about the road closures.

“Please stay out of the area,” she wrote. “Sand will be available in the Parking Partners lot on Second Street.”

Ohio, Hart, Putnam, South Seventh, Charles, Pike, Walnut, Stone and Virginia streets were also closed with the rising waters and Gilman Avenue’s coverage grew as the morning passed with both the college and high school boathouses’ bays filling with water and the Rotary pavilion on the west side nearly underwater entirely by mid-afternoon.