BY BEN L. KAUFMAN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
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East Ender Richard Spicer found the Ohio River forecast -- a prediction to crest at 48.3 feet at 8 a.m. today -- reassuring.
"Anything after 53, I go to worrying. It would start getting in my basement through my drain."
No problem. The National Weather Service says the river will continue to fall to 45.7 feet Friday and 36.9 feet Saturday.
Flood stage in downtown Cincinnati is 52 feet.
Mr. Spicer's home is nearest to the river on Setchell Street. Last year's devastating flood reached halfway up his first floor windows.
Even though they had no flood insurance, the Spicers never considered moving..
"I was raised here on this same street," Mr. Spicer said. "That's why it's so hard to leave."
Mr. Spicer said one family failed to return after the 1997 flood. When it was time for those staying to hose down, pitch out and fix up, everyone on Setchell helped everyone else.
"They pitch in and do what they have to do," Mr. Spicer said. "On this street, everybody gets along. We just stick together like one big family."
That doesn't mean he's turning his back on the brown, debris-filled river. "I'm keeping an eye on that."
Still, if it rises again, "There isn't a whole lot you can do." Nearby, Kim Walker, of Batavia Township in Clermont County, and three daughters watched the river and enjoyed the swings at Schmidt ballfields and boat ramp.
"I fish, and I like watching the river," Ms. Walker said, recalling the 43-pound catfish she pulled from the Ohio near the landing in 1995.
The Cincinnati Recreation Commission said that riverfront activities scheduled for 3-10:30 p.m. Saturday will go on as planned. P&G Pavilion will have live music, including a performance by Loverboy, at 8:30 p.m. Fireworks will be at 10 p.m.
The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra will perform as scheduled at 8:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Riverbend. The concert scheduled for Friday will be combined with Sunday's performance. Tickets for Friday's concert can be exchanged for Sunday's concert or any other Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra or Pops concert this summer. For more information, call 381-3300.
