ASHLAND, KENTUCKY — The Ohio River is expected to crest on Tuesday, following several days of heavy rains and snow melt.

The National Weather Service station in Charleston, West Virginia, which forecast for the Tri-State area, said the crest for Ashland, Kentucky, the nearest point to Ironton that they monitor, will crest in the afternoon.

The crest is expected to be at 54.5 feet, above the 52 feet considered as flood stage.

On Monday, Mike Pemberton, superintendent of the city’s street department, was at the flood wall gate, assessing the situation, where the gauge for Ironton read at 49.5 feet as of 5:30 p.m.

Pemberton noted that Ironton is a few feet below Ashland and said they were watching to decide whether to put up the city’s flood wall.