River slowly rises to 56.7 in Old Shawneetown

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[At 2 p.m., today the river stage at Old Shawneetown was 56.7 feet, flood stage is 33 feet. The river is continuing to rise slowly at Old Shawneetown.

Sand bagging continues today in all communities except Omaha, in Gallatin County.

The Golden Circle in Ridgway is offering a free lunch each day for displaced flood victims, at the Golden Circle in Ridgway. Anyone wanting a meal should call the Golden Circle by 9 a.m. at 272-7570. The meals are served at noon.

Do not call 911 or dispatch centers asking what roads are closed or open. Calls to the dispatch centers are overwhelming the centers and impairing true emergencies.

Sightseers are again asked to stay out of Gallatin County as roads are being overwhelmed. Site-seers are slowing responses of emergency crews attempting to get around Gallatin County, also there are limited areas for people to pull over.

People in boats are urged to use caution, as water levels are high and are very near power lines. Also boaters are asked to travel carefully, as many sandbags are fragile and that excessive wakes could cause the sandbags to fail.

Donations of fuel to the Village of Old Shawneetown are being accepted. Over 5,000 gallons of diesel fuel have been used so far, for pumping operations. This is an estimated cost in excess of $20,000.

Other donations may be made to the Ohio Valley General Baptist Church in Shawneetown.