Overview
- Heavy storms on Friday caused severe flash flooding across Cincinnati’s east side, inundating homes and businesses in Oakley, Norwood and Hyde Park and sending up to six feet of water onto at least one Oakley street.
- Mayor Aftab Pureval returned to the city Tuesday, joined crews on the ground in Oakley to assist cleanup and said many long‑time and senior homeowners have experienced catastrophic losses.
- Pureval issued a formal emergency declaration late Tuesday to enable requests for state and federal support as city crews continue water removal and damage assessments.
- City engineers and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have opened a technical review after Pureval confirmed a Duck Creek floodgate did not close during the heavy rain, and officials say it is not yet known whether the gate’s design or a mechanical or operational failure caused the problem.
- City leaders are negotiating with state and federal partners for aid and plan to direct proceeds from the sale of Cincinnati’s railroad toward targeted infrastructure fixes to boost flood resilience.