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A map showing the estmiated 40 properties within the area that should be protected by the Madison Rd. flood gate.

News

Duck Creek floodgate failed during Oakley megastorm, city explains

Cincinnati officials have confirmed that the Duck Creek floodgate on Madison Road in Oakley failed to deploy automatically during the historic July 17 storm because of a mechanical malfunction. City Manager Sheryl Long said the floodgate should have closed when water reached its trigger level, but a mechanical problem prevented the automatic system from working. …

ByNina OliverioJuly 23, 20260Comments

News

Did a Chained Crossing Arm Keep Cincinnati’s Duck Creek Floodgate From Closing?

A source says the floodgate's warning arms were intentionally restrained after years without preventive maintenance. Photographs obtained by The Cincinnati Exchange show the crossing arms physically chained in the raised position. Whether that chain prevented the flood wall from deploying remains under investigation. The Duck Creek floodgate is a key component of…

ByAdam KoehlerJuly 22, 20260Comments

Deep floodwaters covering a residential street and surrounding homes in a Cincinnati neighborhood after severe flash flooding.

News

Flash flooding prompts renewed calls for long-term solutions in Cincinnati

Cleanup continued across Cincinnati on Tuesday after another round of strong thunderstorms swept through the Tri-State, bringing renewed flash flooding to neighborhoods still recovering from Friday’s historic rainfall. The latest storms reinforced concerns that the city faces growing challenges as heavy rain events become more frequent. Residents and business owners spent the weekend removing damaged…

ByNina OliverioJuly 22, 20260Comments

First responders in high-visibility jackets assisting a driver in a car partially submerged in floodwaters during heavy rain in Cincinnati.

News

Cincinnati flash floods: How the city responded and what comes next

Heavy rainfall that struck the Cincinnati area on July 17 left emergency crews scrambling to rescue stranded motorists, close flooded highways, and help residents whose homes and businesses filled with water. While first responders prevented a larger loss of life through rapid action, city officials now face growing pressure to improve flood protection before another…

ByNina OliverioJuly 22, 20260Comments

A jeep traverses a flooded road surrounded by trees, showcasing a challenging weather condition.

News

Flood infrastructure review begins after deadly Cincinnati flooding

Cincinnati officials have launched a flood infrastructure review after flash flooding killed one person, injured three others, and caused widespread damage across several neighborhoods. Mayor Aftab Pureval said the city will evaluate how its infrastructure and emergency response performed during Friday’s storm while working with state and federal partners to support recovery efforts. The announcement…

ByNina OliverioJuly 20, 20260Comments

Emergency rescue workers navigate floodwaters on Madison Avenue during the Oakley flooding Cincinnati storm as stranded vehicles sit beneath the Interstate 71 overpass.

News Opinion

Why Is Oakley Underwater When Cincinnati Has $1.8 Billion for Infrastructure?

Friday night's Oakley flooding hit hard enough that the neighborhood, along with Hyde Park, disappeared underwater. Forty water rescues. I-71 underwater in both directions. A Metro bus with water past the seats. Oakley flooding was also reported during these storms. Madisonville and Pleasant Ridge took on water too. Flash floodwaters killed one person in Fairfax,…

ByAdam KoehlerJuly 18, 20260Comments

Cincinnati’s Newsroom for the People.

Duck Creek floodgate failed during Oakley megastorm, city explains

Did a Chained Crossing Arm Keep Cincinnati’s Duck Creek Floodgate From Closing?

Flash flooding prompts renewed calls for long-term solutions in Cincinnati

Cincinnati flash floods: How the city responded and what comes next

Flood infrastructure review begins after deadly Cincinnati flooding

Why Is Oakley Underwater When Cincinnati Has $1.8 Billion for Infrastructure?

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