ILLINOIS, KENTUCKY CITIES KEEP CLOSE EYE ON RIVER

CAIRO, Ill. -- Officials here are keeping watch on the rising waters of the Ohio river, and hope that a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers crest prediction comes true this week.

Monday river reports show the Ohio at 51.7 feet here, but with forecasts of receding waters today.

"We're expecting the river to drop to 51.6 Wednesday (today) and 51.4 by Thursday," said a spokesman. "That prediction could change in a hurry with more precipitation."

The spokesman said several rivers in Illinois and Indiana which empty into the Ohio area already above flood stage.

"We closed the floodwall gates here last week," said Ronnie Harris, city superintendent.

Cairo officials are not too concerned about their city.

"The Ohio River would have to get well over the 60-foot (about 63 feet) mark before the water would come over the large levee system here,"said Harris. "But, we could be cut off from Kentucky a long time before that."

The Kentucky State Patrol is keeping an eye on Highway 51 from the Cairo bridge to Wickliffe, a half-dozen miles away.

"Water will cover the two-lane highway if the Ohio gets around the 53-foot mark," said Cairo Mayor Allen Moss. "A lot of people from West Kentucky work in Cairo, and vice-versa. If water gets over the road, workers would have to make a long detour."

Traffic would be have to be re-routed from Western Kentucky to Paducah, across the Interstate 24 bridge to Metropolis, then to Cairo - a total distance of more 75 miles.

"The Corp of Engineers forecast is encouraging for the next two or three days," said Moss. "But, some of the rains north of us, and in Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee, could start reaching us in three days, which could result in more water here."

The Ohio River has already created problems in many areas, including Metropolis, where more than a dozen families have been evacuated to shelters established at churches and old warehouse buildings. No injuries have been reported.

January flooding is unusual, but the state had a 20-inch increase in precipitation in the state during 1990.

Illinois officials also warned that ice jams could develop in some waters due to the bitter cold temperatures. These jams could cause additional flooding because they dam the flow of the water.

City workers at Paducah have closed several of the city's 54 floodgates, and are awaiting further weather activity before closing additional gates.