Ohio River at Portsmouth

1. 74.23 ftThis flood will exceed the highest stage on record. Widespread damage occurs. Backwater flooding along the Scioto River produces additional damage to homes, farms and businesses. Most of the City of Portsmouth is protected to a stage of 77 feet by the flood walls. Inundation of homes and businesses east of Portsmouth and elsewhere along the Ohio River within Scioto County occurs.
2. 72.00 ftMajor flooding occurs in Wheelersburg, with hundreds of homes and businesses along Route 52 flooded. Backwater flooding inundates nearly all of Garrison, Vanceburg, and Buena Vista Ohio. Low areas of West Portsmouth flood, with backwater route 104 flooded in some stretches.
3. 66.00 ftThis is approximately the FEMA 1 percent flood. Route 52 is under water through much of the region, with homes flooded along 52 and between 52 and the river. Backwater flooding also affects low areas of Friendship and West Portsmouth, Ohio. Structures in the bottom land of Kentucky between Route 8 and the river flood. Backwater flooding up Kinney Creek floods low areas near Garrison KY, with nearly all of Vanceburg flooded.
4. 62.00 ftWater rises onto the east end of the Scioto River Bridge, and significant flooding occurs in many areas outside of Portsmouth in Scioto and Adams Counties along the Ohio River. Areas hardest hit include South Portsmouth, Fullerton and low-lying areas near Friendship.
5. 60.00 ftThe low area along Main Street in Fullerton, Ohio becomes flooded. More homes are affected by flood waters in South Portsmouth. Long stretches of Route 52 are flooded.
6. 56.00 ftFlooding through Scioto County continues, with water entering lower levels of homes in Fullerton. Portions of Route 52 are closed due to flooding.
7. 55.00 ftBackwater flooding affects portions of Sciotoville, New Boston and other sections outside of the flood wall area. Backwater flooding along Pond Creek near West Portsmouth floods some county roads.
8. 53.00 ftBackwater flooding on tributaries occurs, with low lying impacts and flooding of some county roads. Riverfront homes near Shannoah Lane near Ziegler Lane become surrounded by water with some homes flooded by several feet of water.
9. 51.00 ftLow-lying flooding occurs along the southern border of Scioto County, as well as in South Portsmouth. Routes 73 and 239 are closed near the Ohio River. Much of Portsmouth itself is protected by flood walls.
10. 50.00 ftLowland flooding affects southern Scioto County. Backwater flooding occurs into the Scioto River, as well as along smaller creeks flowing into the Ohio River. Flood waters expand across route 73, as well as State Route 239. Much of Portsmouth itself is protected by flood walls.
11. 49.00 ftLowland flooding affects southern Scioto County. Backwater flooding begins into the Scioto River, as well as along smaller creeks and streams. State Route 73 is closed near the river.
12. 42.00 ftLane restrictions and closings occur at the ramp to west Route 52 from State Route 239, with flooding possibly made worse if the Scioto River is also flooded. High water also affects eastbound Route 73 between Second Street and Route 852.

Chance of flooding, September to November

The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 22, 2026.

Most recent crests

• April 7, 2025: 53.78 ft
• February 19, 2025: 53.67 ft
• April 15, 2024: 50.58 ft
• April 7, 2024: 51.44 ft
• March 4, 2021: 56.09 ft
• February 15, 2020: 53.26 ft
• February 26, 2019: 51.80 ft
• February 15, 2019: 51.01 ft
• April 7, 2018: 50.71 ft
• February 26, 2018: 52.70 ft

• UpstreamOhio River at Lloyd Greenup Lock
• DownstreamOhio River at Maysville
• Tygarts Creek at Greenup
• Ohio River at Ironton
• Ohio Brush Creek at West Union
• Scioto River at Piketon
• Ohio River at Ashland
• Little Sandy River at Grayson
• Symmes Creek at Aid

Forecasts by the Ohio River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued routinely year-round. River Forecasts typically include ONLY 2 days of future rain from <u>forecast issuance time</u> (lower right of graph). Occasionally 3 days of future rain included.

Stage, flood stages, impacts and crest history from NOAA’s National Water Prediction Service. Streamflow and the daily record from the U.S. Geological Survey.