City Removes Flood Gate by Convention Center

Flood gates are starting to come down in Paducah.

City workers removed the gate between the Julian Carroll Convention Center and the Holiday Inn Paducah Riverfront on Tuesday morning.

The Ohio River was at 52.5 feet on Monday night, and Public Works Director Rick Murphy indicated to county officials last week that if the gauge reached 52 feet, he would feel comfortable removing the gates and allowing access to the buildings outside the flood wall.

The city said the gate in front of the convention center on 5th Street will remain in place a bit longer.

The river crested at Paducah and Smithland on Feb. 25 and in Cairo last Friday.

The flood gate removal means business can resume at the convention and expo centers.

A person at the convention center said a planned "Mall Outlet Clothing Sale" will open on Thursday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.

She said some training sessions for first responders will also take place this weekend as scheduled.

Several events over the last week or two have been moved due to lack of access to the buildings, including Mercy Health Lourdes Foundation's "Mardi Gras and All That Jazz" on Fat Tuesday, which was moved to the Carson Center.

The Chamber of Commerce breakfast on Thursday will also be held at the Carson Center.