belle cincinnati riverboat

3 of the Best Cincinnati Riverboat & Dinner Cruises

Take to the Ohio River and see Cincinnati in a different light on one of these excellent riverboat tours and dinner cruises.

(Photo: Getyourguide.com)

The great city of Cincinnati sits on the north bank of the Ohio River, which splits it from the state of Kentucky. The best way to appreciate the cityscape on either side of the river is by floating along it. Taking a traditional riverboat along the Ohio, complete with a paddle wheel and open decks, is a fun and traditional way to go. Throw a dinner into the mix while watching the setting sun for an enhanced cruise experience. Here are three top options.

Cincinnati Historic Sightseeing Cruise

The Queen City, as Cincinnati is known (as well as ‘The Athens of the West’), was first settled in 1788 and the city’s skyline is best viewed from the Ohio River. On this 90-minute riverboat cruise, your captain will provide commentary about the buildings you pass and their relevance to the city’s past and present. You will also learn much about the parts of northern Kentucky visible during the trip. This tour is usually available at 3pm on Tue-Thu and Sat-Sun. From $26 per person.

Book at Getyourguide.com

Sunset Cruise on the Ohio River

The stunning River Queen is part of the BB Riverboats fleet of old-timey paddleboats. This charming white and red boat plies the Ohio River for two hours at sunset, as the lands of Kentucky and the Ohio city of Cincinnati are daubed in the warm glow of the fading light. There is also live music on board, setting a jolly tone as you explore this lovely stretch of water. There’s a cash bar on board for drinks and snacks. From $29 per person.

Cincinnati: Dinner Cruise on the Ohio River

Aboard the Belle of Cincinnati, you will find ample space on the decks and inside the cabins to sit and enjoy the river views. But the highlight of this two-hour tour is the dinner and dessert included in your cruise price. There are a number of different cruise options to choose from, including the captain’s and admiral’s dinner cruises, with the latter offering more dining options, including carved turkey, ribs and vegetarian pasta dishes. Alcoholic drinks can be purchased from the onboard bar for an additional fee. From $57 per person.

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Belle of Cincinnati

Covington, KY

The BELLE OF CINCINNATI is the biggest riverboat in Captain Alan Bernstein’s BB Riverboats fleet, located in Covington, KY, on the Ohio River right opposite of Cincinnati OH. The BELLE OF CINCINNATI is taking part in the Kentucky Derby Steamboat Race held in Louisville Kentucky.

Belle of Cincinnati, 2002

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Belle of Cincinnati Summer River Cruises

July 25, 2021 @ 12:00 pm - 9:30 pm.

Come join BB Riverboats’ Belle of Cincinnati on its summer tour of river cities. We will be stopping in Huntington WV, Portsmouth OH, Gallipolis OH, Ashland KY, and Maysville KY offering lunch, brunch, dinner, and sightseeing cruises! Come ride the boat and enjoy one of Cincinnati’s top attractions during this annual tradition! The following are times and prices for the Huntington, WV cruises on Sunday July 25, 2021.

Lunch Cruise Boarding 11am Sails 12 pm – 2 pm

Adults General Admission   $42.44 Children Ages 4-12   $26.41

Sightseeing Cruise Boarding 3pm Sailing 3:30 pm – 5 pm

Adults General Admission   $25.47 Children Ages 4-12   $19.81

Dinner Cruise Boarding 6:30 pm Sailing 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm

Adults General Admission    $56.60 Children Ages 4-12   $39.62

Make a reservation online at bbriverboats.com or over the phone 1-800-261-8586 For Portsmouth, Gallipolis, Ashland, and Maysville times, locations, and bookings please visit https://bbriverboats.com/cruises/summer-tour

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Belle of Cincinnati

“This is going to be something to see in person and will bring back many memories of the years surrounding the Tall Stacks event held here in Cincinnati,” says Captain Alan Bernstein, owner of BB Riverboats. 

Captain Bernstein added that he has a history with the American Duchess, “Their ownership had me arrested by their security officers two years ago in Louisville and missed my cruise.”

The race will start at the Purple People Bridge and head up river just below St. Rose’s Church and conclude back at the Serpentine Wall. 

“People along the riverbank on both sides will have great views of both vessels,” comments Capt Bernstein.

With the history of the American Duchess’ crew, Capt Bernstein stated, “there will be rules in place for this event.”

Tickets can be purchased for the Belle of Cincinnati by calling BB Riverboats at 1-800-261-8586.  The tickets on the American Duchess are sold out. 

BB Riverboats operates two sternwheelers – the 1,000-passenger M/V Belle of Cincinnati and the 500-passenger M/V River Queen – from its riverfront wharf at 101 Riverboat Row in Newport.

BB Riverboats began operation in Covington in 1980 with cruises on the M/V Betty Blake, a 400-passenger sternwheeler operating from the Mike Fink Restaurant. BB Riverboats moved its operations to Newport in 2005.

In addition to riverboat cruises, Current Catering, formerly known as Benson’s Catering, started in 1981 out of Covington. With the third generation of the Bernstein family firmly implanted in the day-to-day operations, the company is primed for a vault into the future. 

For more information, visit BB Riverboats where you can purchase tickets to be on the Belle of Cincinnati for the big race.

American Queen Steamboat Company (AQSC), a leader in U.S. river cruising based in New Albany, Ind., was founded in 2011. The company’s fleet of U.S. flagged riverboats sail America’s heartland and the Pacific Northwest on itineraries from six to 23 days.

AQSC’s flagship vessel, American Queen, launched in 2012 and offers authentic and timeless experiences inspired by the palatial Mississippi steamboats of the Mark Twain era. In April 2014, AQSC christened American Empress to sail the Pacific Northwest with the same opulence and grandeur, followed by the American Duchess, a unique boutique paddle wheeler in the U.S., which set sail in August 2017. The new American Countess, currently under construction in Louisiana, will debut in April 2020, joining the American Queen and American Duchess on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. 

For more information on American Queen Steamboat Company or to book a cruise on the American Queen, American Duchess, American Empress and upcoming American Countess, please visit the website .  

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Oktoberfest Zinzinnati will move to Sawyer Point for 2024

CINCINNATI — The largest Oktoberfest in the United States is moving so it has more space to grow.

The Cincinnati Regional Chamber of Commerce announced the festival will move closer to the Ohio River, instead being held at Sawyer Point for 2024.

The festival is scheduled to take place during the third weekend in September:

• Thursday, September 19 – 5 p.m. - 11 p.m.
• Friday, September 20 – 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.
• Saturday, September 21 – 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.
• Sunday, September 22 – 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

The move is happening because the festival keeps growing; the new location at Sawyer Point & Yeatman's Cove will provide more space, which organizers said is crucial since this year's festivities are expected to be bigger than ever. "Having the largest Oktoberfest outside of Munich is I think such a thing of pride for this city," said David Dalton, the special events coordinator of the German American Citizens League.

In a press release, organizers with the Cincinnati Chamber said the current plan is that Sawyer Point will be Oktoberfest's home "for many years to come" unless extenuating circumstances create the need to move.

For 2024, the festival will feature its largest beer tent in event history, organizers announced. The tent will span 300 feet and be capable of housing 1,000 people, in addition to providing a more authentic beer hall atmosphere.

RELATED: Why is Oktoberfest in September?

"Hosting Oktoberfest at Sawyer Point & Yeatman's Cove give s us the opportunity to highlight some of Cincinnati's great assets — our beautiful parks and riverfront," said Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval. "This year's festival will not only be a better experience for those who have made it a tradition to come each year, but it will hopefully attract even more visitors from outside our region, creating an even larger economic impact for our city."

Organizers said they decided to move the festival to Sawyer Point because it provided a better setting "to infuse a more Bavarian beer garden-style feel." It's also a larger space, offering more places for attendees to sit, relax, eat and drink to their heart's content.

In 2023, the festival moved back to 5th Street, where it was held for years before it was moved to Second and Third Streets. For that year, the Cincinnati Chamber said more than 800,000 people flooded Cincinnati streets to attend.

According to the Cincinnati Chamber, more information about this year's Oktoberfest will be released closer to September, including vendor list specifics and entertainment schedules.

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CALL FOR RESERVATIONS

As we move into our new Newport Landing dock facility & event center, our online reservation system will be temporality unavailable. Please call 1(800) 261-8586 to book your reservation today. We apologize for any inconvenience and look forward to serving you in 2019!

The Belle of Cincinnati

Our Flagship Riverboat

Cruise in ultimate comfort and luxury

The flagship of BB Riverboats, the Belle of Cincinnati is a majestic and ornate beauty. Cruise in ultimate comfort and luxury aboard our largest vessel. You will dine surrounded by a lavish Victorian decor appointed with sumptuous details. Our three climate-controlled decks provide an environment that ensures optimum comfort for every passenger no matter the weather. An open-air top deck allows for the greatest views in Cincinnati sightseeing. The Belle of Cincinnati offers both sightseeing and dinner cruises and combines luxury and history to offer an experience you’ll cherish forever.

Bell of Cincinnati Floor Plans

Newport Deck

The Newport Deck is the first deck of The Belle of Cincinnati and has a seated capacity of 200 people. It features a large dining area with a dance floor and full bar as well as restroom facilities and elevator access. The Newport Deck is perfect for those looking for an event space with exclusive privacy at an affordable price point.

Covington Deck

The Covington Deck is the second deck of The Belle of Cincinnati and has a seated capacity of 300. It features two large dining areas separated by a dance floor and a full bar. Restroom facilities and elevator access are both available as well as a gift shop. Our Covington Deck hosts most of our public dining cruises.

Bellevue Deck

The Bellevue Deck is the third and highest deck of The Belle of Cincinnati and has a seated capacity of 200. It features forward and aft dining areas as well as a semi-private parlor that is the perfect spot for up to 24 people. Two dance floors are available as well as a full bar, restroom facilities and elevator access. Did we mention the private outdoor space that is available at the aft of the boat? This spot offers a magnificent sunset view when aboard Dinner Cruises.

Plan an Unforgettable Event

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BB is Back! Here's How We’re Cruising Safely

There is nothing more important than the well-being of our customers and crew. Learn more about the steps we’re taking to make sure your BB experience is safe and enjoyable.

Latest updates on tornadoes, storms in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana: 3 dead, homes damaged

Click or tap here for the latest updates on the Ohio tornado, storm outbreak

Police in Ohio confirmed three deaths resulting from a fierce storm system that unleashed suspected twisters and damaged homes and businesses in parts of Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana on Thursday.

Authorities in Logan County are dealing with a mass casualty incident where at least three people died a suspected tornado that struck a trailer park near Indian Lake, located about 70 miles northwest of Columbus.

Logan County Sheriff Randy Dodds said the number of deaths could increase as rescue efforts continue.

"It's one hell of a mess up there," Dodds said. "It looks like a war zone." 

Chief Deputy Joe Kopus of the Logan County Sheriff's Office in Bellefontaine, Ohio, also said there likely would be more fatalities discovered, noting there was heavy damage in Lakeview, Midway, Orchard Island and Russells Point.

The Indiana State Police said there are “many significant injuries” after a tornado tore through the community of Winchester.

Greater Cincinnati weather updates: Power restored, rain lingers Friday

Storm damage, injuries in Indiana

“There have been many, many significant injuries, but I don’t know the number. I don’t know where they are. I don’t know what those injuries are,” Indiana State Police Superintendent Douglas Carter told reporters just before midnight Thursday. “There’s a lot that we don’t know yet.”

Earlier in the night, state police said they were investigating reports of deaths but at the news conference Carter said there were “no known fatalities.”

State officials called on Indiana Task Force One to help with search efforts in Winchester, a town of 4,700 people located nearly 70 miles northeast of Indianapolis, according to a post by the rescue team on X. The team is one of 28 Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency-sponsored Urban Search and Rescue teams in the United States.

More: Storms, possible tornadoes cause severe damage in East Central Indiana

“I’m shaken; it’s overwhelming,” Winchester Mayor Bob McCoy said. “I heard what sounded like a train and then I started hearing sirens.”

He and his wife were hunkered in a closet during the twister, which hit about 8 p.m.

“I’ve never heard that sound before; I don’t want to hear it again,” McCoy said.

The suspected tornado damaged a Walmart store and a Taco Bell in Winchester, Randolph County Sheriff Art Moystner  told FOX59/CBS4 . Travel throughout the county is restricted to emergency management workers only, he said.

To the west of Winchester, in Delaware County, emergency management officials said initial assessments suggested up to half of the structures in the small town of Selma were damaged by a possible tornado.

“We are relieved to report that only minor injuries have been reported thus far, with one individual transported to the hospital for treatment,” the Delaware County Emergency Management Agency said in a news release. About 750 people live in Selma.

Storms hit Indian Lake, Lakeview, Russels Point in Logan County

At about the same time as the tornado hit Winchester, another suspected twister touched down about 75 miles to the east in Logan County, Ohio. The tornado hit near the southern end of Indian Lake, impacting the villages of Lakeview and Russells Point, county spokesperson Sheri Timmers said.

“As far as we know, we have lots of injuries. We don’t know the extent of the injuries,” Timmers said. “An RV park was impacted.”

Multiple buildings in the Indian Lake area were damaged, but the full extent of the destruction was still being assessed as emergency crews searched the area, Timmers said.

Amber Fagan, president and chief executive of the Indian Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, said Lakeview was “completely demolished,” with homes, campgrounds and a laundromat hard-hit by the tornado.

“There’s places burning,” she said. “There’s power lines through people’s windows.”

A shelter was opened for displaced people.

In Ohio’s Huron County, emergency management officials posted on Facebook that there was a “confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado” near Plymouth, some 75 miles northeast of Indian Lake.

Earlier, storms damaged homes and trailers in the Ohio River communities of Hanover and Lamb in Indiana.

The Ohio governor's office said they did not have any information about fatalities in the state.

Jefferson County Sheriff Ben Flint said storms destroyed three or four single-family homes and four or five other structures and demolished several uninhabited campers along the river.

“We were fortunate that no one was injured,” Flint told the AP in a telephone interview.

Sgt. Stephen Wheeles of the Indiana State Police earlier said another suspected tornado struck Jefferson County, damaging several homes and downing trees and power lines.

He posted photos on X showing one home with its roof torn off and another missing roof shingles as well as an image of a baseball-sized  hailstone .

Around 2,000 Duke Energy customers in Hanover lost power at one point during the storms, the company reported.

Tornado reported in Kentucky

In Kentucky, Trimble County Emergency Management Director Andrew Stark said the storms damaged at least 50 structures, including homes .

“We have a whole bunch of damage,” Stark told the  Courier Journal  of Louisville.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear issued a statement saying a tornado touched down along the Indiana state border in Gallatin and Trimble counties and there were reports of a couple of minor injuries. He urged Kentuckians to stay aware of the weather as more storms were expected across the state Thursday evening and overnight.

“It does appear that there is some really significant damage, especially to the town of Milton in Trimble County,” Beshear said. “We think there are over 100 structures that are potentially damaged.”

The state’s emergency operations center was activated to coordinate storm response, Beshear said.

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb posted on Facebook Thursday night that the Indiana Department of Homeland Security is monitoring the current weather situation.

“Severe weather has impacted Hoosiers all across the state, and we have emergency response personnel in the impacted areas,” he wrote.

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security posted on Facebook that their staff are on scene in Randolph County, home to Winchester, working with locals and that the State Emergency Operations Center has been activated to an enhanced staffing level to respond to the storm.

A Facebook post on the Winchester Community High School page said all the schools in that school district would be closed on Friday. Another post said the high school had electricity and was open for emergency use for people who “need somewhere warm and dry.”

Large pieces of hail also was reported in parts of the St. Louis area Thursday afternoon.

There were unconfirmed reports of tornadoes in Jefferson County, Missouri, and Monroe County, Illinois, but no immediate reports of damage.

Severe weather was possible into Thursday night from northeast Texas to Indiana and Ohio, the National Weather Service said on X.

3 dead as Ohio tornadoes prompt mass casualty response in Logan County

Gov. mike dewine: 'the indian lake community will come back'.

At least three people are dead as a result of a series of severe storms that ravaged Ohio on Thursday night, spawning a series of 20 tornado warnings across the state and knocking out power to thousands.For the second time in as many weeks , storms and likely tornadoes tore through Ohio.

Authorities in Logan County are dealing with a mass casualty incident where at least three people died in tornado that struck a trailer park near Indian Lake , located about 70 miles northwest of Columbus. The National Weather Service confirmed as of 2 p.m. Friday that at least four tornadoes touched down across Ohio.

Logan County Sheriff Randy Dodds said the number of deaths could increase as rescue efforts continue.

"It's one hell of a mess up there," Dodds said. "It looks like a war zone." 

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine: 'There's an awful lot of damage'

Dodds said there were areas where first responders could not search overnight because of debris and downed power lines that made it unsafe. He said there is anticipation that there may be more people found dead during searches that will continue Friday morning.

Dodds said there are areas where a single home may have remained untouched while everything around it has been leveled.

"The power of this thing is just amazing. It hopped around but when you look at it, it's just amazing." 

Officials including Gov. DeWine, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, Senate President Matt Huffman and others held a news conference at around 3:30 Friday to give an update on the recovery.

DeWine drove through the Indian Lake area before the press conference to talk with home owners and those impacted by the storms.

"There's an awful lot of damage," he said.

DeWine said the Indian Lake community will rebound from the tragedy.

"The Indian Lake community will come back. That's the message I got from everybody," DeWine said at Indian Lake High School.

State Rep. Jon Cross, R-Findlay, who represents part of the area, said lawmakers have to work with the governor to get the community back open.

"This is a community that relies on tourism," Cross said. "We have devastated businesses that lost everything. We need to get these businesses back open.

Ohio's emergency operations center activated Thursday night during the severe weather and continues to coordinate damage assessment and clean-up efforts with local, state and federal agencies.

“Fran and I are deeply saddened by those impacted by the tornadoes and severe storms,” DeWine said in a statement issued shortly before noon. “We share the grief of the families who lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods.  Ohioans will come together as they always do with resilience and compassion as we support and rebuild our communities.”

Indian Lake residents assess Ohio tornado damage

Indian Lake resident Blaine Schmitt was working outside his home last night when his wife called him.

She warned him about the tornado and told him to get into the bathtub. He gathered his dog and friend, Greg McDougle, and hunkered down in the bathroom.

Over the next few minutes, the tornado swept through Schmitt's home, shredding the front wall and scattering debris in his yard.

"It sounded like a freight train literally went through the living room," Schmitt said.

Luckily, Schmitt and McDougle managed to get through the storm unscathed.

"I thank God that I'm alive and that my kids weren't here. It was very emotional when I first got here, and it's been emotional ever since then. But I pray every day and it paid off," Schmitt said.

McDougle used to live next door with his father. He sold the home two years ago, and it was being renovated when the storm hit. Now, all that remains is scattered debris, a single flattened wall, and the foundation.

"This is what's left. No one was living here, and thank God for that," McDougle said.

Logan County resident describes tornadoes: 'It's a noise you'll never forget'

As storms approached Logan County late Thursday, Loretta Kinney told her goddaughter Lucy there was nothing to be afraid of.

Kinney and her brother walked Lucy home and by the time they returned to their own house, Kinney said she realized just how wrong she was. The two headed down to the basement and waited out a storm and likely tornadoes that rolled across the Midwest and the Indian Lake region about 70 miles northwest of Columbus.

By the time they'd emerge, Kinney would come to find out that at least three people had died and homes and businesses around the county had been ripped apart.

"Just the noise. When they say you hear a train, it's a noise you'll never forget," Kinney said. "Then to come up and see it, it is so surreal. Even though I'm standing here and looking at everything it doesn't seem real."

Shelter opens for Indian Lake storm victims

The Logan County Emergency Management Agency said it's opened a shelter for victims of Thursday night's storm at the Church of God located at 1000 E Brown Ave.

The United Way of Logan County also established a relief fund where monetary donations can be made to assist residents who have been impacted by the storms.

Donations can be made online to the Indian Lake Tornado Relief Fund at  www.uwlogan.org  and 100% of donations will go to help community members recover in both the short and long-term from the storms.

Possible tornado strikes Lakeview, Indian Lake: 'People's homes are destroyed'

Columbus Dispatch Photographer Doral Chenoweth arrived in the area before midnight and reported finding extensive damage, including a destroyed trailer park with tractor trailers and RVs overturned and large trees uprooted. In Lakeview, the library and a government building were damaged.

"Every building in Lakeview and every building here has some form of damage," he said, from a spot near Lakeview. "People's homes are destroyed."

The Logan EMA confirmed for The Dispatch that a trailer park in the Indian Lake area just north of Lakeview was struck by a tornado or at least very high winds that have caused extensive damage. The community also reported having a shortage of ambulances.

An NWS spokesman said he couldn't confirm that a tornado struck the community but said there was "reports of a lot of damage there." The NWS will send investigators out Friday to confirm the tornadoes as it did last month when nine were confirmed across Ohio .

Thursday's Ohio storms were part of a larger system that pushed through the Midwest beginning in the afternoon and into the evening.

The Indiana State Police said there are “many significant injuries” after a tornado tore through the community of Winchester, AP reported.

“There have been many, many significant injuries, but I don’t know the number. I don’t know where they are. I don’t know what those injuries are,” Indiana State Police Superintendent Douglas Carter told reporters just before midnight Thursday. “There’s a lot that we don’t know yet.”

The National Weather Service in Wilmington and Cleveland issued 20 tornado warnings based on a review of social media posts. That does not include multiple thunderstorms and other alerts.

Indian Lake volunteers continue search for people impacted by storms

Emergency personnel conducted "grid searches" Friday morning in the impacted areas where the storm struck, the sheriff said.

Grid searches are methodical searches using a grid pattern to ensure that all areas can be checked without duplicating efforts and minimizing the risk of missing an area.

The sheriff said there are areas that first responders are able to access during the daylight that were not accessible Thursday night because of downed power lines and concerns about gas leaks. Those areas are now being searched. Crews are also researching areas that were searched Thursday night to ensure that no one who needed medical assistance was missed.

While there has been a "plethora" of volunteers who have arrived on the scene, Dodds said volunteers are more likely to be necessary as the searches conclude and the clean-up effort begins. 

The Central Ohio Strike Team mobilized Friday morning to go to the Indian Lake area to help with the ongoing emergency response. The strike team, one of five regional teams across the state that are specially trained to respond when there are large-scale disasters, includes firefighters from every agency in Franklin County.

The members of the strike team receive special training on how to do search and rescue operations in the event of structure collapses, as well as how to do rescue operations in confined spaces and machinery extractions. 

AEP transmission towers toppled in Delaware County

AEP Ohio confirmed that the storms toppled six transmission towers near Olentangy Berlin High School. As of 9:15 a.m. Friday, the number of customers without power had risen to more than 13,000. 

Photos posted by the utility company on social media show the tower on its side. The tower fell into other power lines in the area. 

AEP issued a statement Friday afternoon saying more than 30 power lines came down in the storm, as well as six transmission towers in Delaware County.

The utility company said the goal is to have power restored to as many customers as possible on Friday, however, some customers who get their power from the high-voltage transmission towers could face a potential multi-day outage. AEP said as more information is gathered throughout Friday afternoon, those affected customers will receive an automated phone call. 

Specks and tatters of insulation lined sidewalks and the sides of houses at the Pine of Berlin Station, a subdivision near Berlin Middle School. Debris from inside houses — books, crayons, a broken pair of child’s glasses — were scattered in the grass.

“Someone else’s roof is in my kitchen,” said Katie Sprinkle, who weathered the storm with her husband and two kids, ages 9 and 11. The storm terrified her 9-year-old daughter.

“Pray loud, mom,” she said her daughter told her.

The kids wore bike helmets to protect themselves from falling debris, and her husband placed an overturned canoe over them. The family could hear windows breaking in the wind. It sounded like an explosion, Sprinkle said.

Delaware County road closures due to Thursday's storms

Several major traffic routes in Delaware County remained closed as of 7 a.m. Friday because of debris in the roadway. Ohio 315, closed between Hyatts Road and U.S. 23, is expected to remain closed at least through morning rush hour.

The Delaware County Sheriff's office is asking that people avoid the area where the aftermath of the storms are and avoid sightseeing. There are continued concerns about live wires and large trees in the roads.

In a post on Facebook Friday morning, the Delaware County Sheriff's office said crews have been working throughout the night to try and clear roadways but there are areas where debris continues to block roads. 

The sheriff's office asked for additional travel time and patience from drivers, as well as willingness to take alternate routes. 

The sheriff's office said that as of 5 a.m. Friday, a number of roads remained impassable. Those roads included: 

• Portions of Berlin Station Road near Glenn Parkway, between Kingsbury and Braumiller, between Piatt and Dale Ford
• Portions of Bunty Station east of Liberty Road
• Africa Road north of Cheshire
• Portions of Rome Corners
• Portions of Walnut Road and Piatt Road
• Portions of Ohio 3

Tornado warnings from Thursday night's deadly tornadoes

Storms hit indiana, kentucky and northern, central and southern ohio.

At least three confirmed tornadoes touched down Thursday afternoon in southern Indiana and north-central Kentucky Thursday, leaving dozens of structures damaged or destroyed,  The Louisville Courier-Journal reported .

Tornadoes were confirmed near Hanover and Marion in Indiana and near Milton in Kentucky. As for Ohio, officials have said it's too early to say just how widespread the storms were, or whether any confirmed tornadoes touched down.

Meteorologist Steve Harbenach of the National Weather Service in Wilmington said there have been several radar confirmations of possible tornadoes across Ohio, but added "we really have no idea right now how many tornadoes we had."

"There have been numerous areas where we've had reports of damage," he added. "It's going to take a while for us to sort through that. it's going to take multiple days for us to sort through this to see what happened."

An X user who was driving from Lima and passing through Logan took pictures of the extensive damage. In the post on X, he said authorities told him that he had missed a tornado "by about 2 minutes." He could not confirm if there were any casualties but said that a large section of U.S. Route 33 northwest of Marysville would remain closed as authorities assessed the damage.

Tornado watches remained in effect until midnight in dozens of Ohio counties, including Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Hocking, Licking, Madison, Pickaway, Union, Ross, Butler, Clinton, Hamilton, Warren, Champaign, Clark, Drake, Greene, Logan, Miami, Montgomery, Preble and Shelby.

Severe thunderstorm warnings remained in effect for Franklin and Madison counties until 11 p.m. Thursday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

'I think it's stupid': Southwestern Ontario residents sound off about new postal codes

Canada post says the community's population growth is behind the move.

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Ron Blake says he doesn't understand why Canada Post is changing the postal code for the entire Belle River, Ont., delivery area.

"I think it's stupid," said the resident of the town near Windsor.

"I got to change everything … I got to inform everybody now. I pay all my bills like that."

Fellow Belle River resident Beverly Svarc compared the postal code change to when her street name was altered years ago.

"It means changing everything under the sun," she said. "It's really putting us to the test, and I don't think it's right. I don't think they have to do it."

Heather Moore said residents were informed with a notice in the mail.

"Both my husband and I are upset because it's really, really inconvenient.

"Why don't, if they're going to do new postal codes, then do it to the newer subdivisions?"

The crown corporation announced the change last week from the single N0R 1A0 code to a series of postal codes aligning with specific neighbourhoods.

Size matters for postal code distribution

The growth of Belle River is behind the tweak, said Canada Post in a statement.

"These postal code changes will allow better processing of mail and parcels and improve service to the community," a spokesperson wrote. 

Windsor-based researcher Frazier Fathers said the population of Lakeshore as a whole — containing Belle River, as well as communities such as Comber, St. Joachim, Woodslee, Puce and Emeryville — grew by 10 per cent between 2016 and 2021, to roughly 40,000 people, according to census data.

"It's fast for almost anywhere in Canada," he said, adding he would expect to start seeing fewer single-family homes and more duplexes and row housing.

"Those changes will start occurring over time as the community sort of continues to urbanize."

Fathers said visible gaps such as the undeveloped land between Emeryville and Belle River will also begin to disappear. 

"Farm fields will start filling in."

WATCH | Data researcher reacts to Belle River-area postal code change:

Data researcher reacts to Belle River-area postal code change

Canada Post said it tries to avoid postal code changes, but sometimes changes are needed to accommodate growth or delivery route adjustments, among other reasons. 

"Customers will also be provided with free mail forwarding services for 12 months to allow them time to update their addresses with those who send them mail."

Fathers said he's unsure how many different postal codes the area will require — and that it depends on how the mail agency wants to draw the lines and where future development is expected.

"They kind of like to leave a little room for growth, where if the infill starts to happen in an existing established neighborhood, they don't have to completely redo the postal code in five years from now."

WATCH | What's behind the numbers and letters in postal codes?:

What's behind the numbers and letters in postal codes?

A postal code's first three characters determine the geographical region, while the last three characters correspond to a range of local addresses or large-volume receiver, such as a community mailbox, apartment building, or a specific side of the street, the agency said.

The N0R postal code currently covers much of Essex County.

Fathers says the change could free up existing postal codes for other parts of the county.

Lakeshore Mayor Tracey Bailey and Deputy Mayor Kirk Walstedt, as well as the councillor representing the west side of Belle River, Kelsey Santarossa, all declined to comment. 

With files from Windsor Morning

Dangers of the Cumberland River: How water depth, current and temperature impact people

As Tennessee authorities continue their search for missing University of Missouri student Riley Strain this week, the Cumberland River has become a key setting in the unfolding drama.

But, is the Cumberland River really dangerous?

The Office of Emergency Management has launched boats on the river twice as part of a coordinated search for Strain, 22, with the Metro Nashville Police Department. The university student was last seen Friday walking near Gay Street and 1st Avenue , according to Nashville Fire Department spokesperson Kendra Loney.

His friends reported him missing the next day.

The area where Strain was last seen was in a brushy area with cliffs that would make it nearly impossible for the missing student to have fallen into the river, Loney said, but the failed boat searches on Tuesday and Wednesday have raised some serious concerns about the safety of river, itself, concerns that one Nashville business owner couldn't help but raise.

The Cumberland River spans 688 miles, cutting a path through southern Kentucky and Middle Tennessee before connecting to the Ohio River. It runs through two major cities: Clarksville and Nashville. There are eight dams along the river, and the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency notes that it is often used by large barges for transporting goods.

Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency Captain Josh Landrum said the Cumberland River presents several dangers to people, especially at night and in cold temperatures.

"Undertows can be present anytime there is wind and strong currents in river systems. However, typically through the downtown area, the river is narrow, and the river current is the greater danger. A strong river current alone could cause even a good swimmer difficulty in getting back to the shoreline if they were to fall in," Landrum said.

Cumberland Kayak & Adventure Company operations manager Dylan Schultz said there are several variables that could cause even more danger for those navigating the river.

Among those issues is how fast the water travels.

Water velocity on March 8, when Strain was last seen, was measured at 3.81 feet per second , according to United States Geological Survey (USGS) data. Velocity peaked at 10:30 a.m. on March 9, when it was measured at 4.0 feet per second.

"Day-to-day, the current varies," Schultz said. His company operates along a three-mile stretch of the Cumberland between Shelby Park and the downtown area. "It's not usually at a level where it is swift, but it would be difficult to swim against the current."

For those who are curious, the Cumberland's current runs west and northwest through Nashville, Schultz noted.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration defines swift currents as those with speeds of up to 8 feet per second.

But water velocity isn't the only factor to consider on the river. Depth is also important.

On March 8, the USGS reported that the river was 24.66 feet deep at 10 p.m. It has since changed, with the water level rising to 20.71 feet as of 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, the USGS said.

Despite those readings, Schultz said much of the Cumberland River is shallow enough to stand in. He estimates the average person can stand in the river anywhere between 10-15 feet from shore.

But, watch out, 'it does drop off quickly," he warned.

Perhaps the biggest challenge someone in the river might face, especially at night, comes from the transportation barges that float along the Cumberland combined with low air temperatures.

On March 8, temperatures were as low as 56 degrees, officials said. Landrum pointed out that water temperatures would have been in the 50-degree range, making hypothermia a possibility, especially if someone is unable to get out of the water quickly.

So far, the searches at the Cumberland have proven unsuccessful as local officials continue to hunt for the missing student.

Strain is 6'5" tall with a thin build, blue eyes and light brown hair.

He was out with a group of Delta Chi fraternity brothers Friday night when he got kicked out of Luke Bryan's bar at about 10 p.m. He hasn't been seen or heard from since.

The bar has said on social media that it is cooperating with authorities to aid in the investigation.

Anyone with information about Strain's whereabouts is asked to call Metro Police at 615-862-8600.

Dyeing the Chicago River green 2024: Date, time, how to watch St. Patrick's Day tradition

While everyone gets to be a bit Irish on Saint Patrick's Day Sunday , the Chicago River will get a head start when it is dyed green this weekend.

The over 60-year tradition of dyeing the Chicago River is set to take place Saturday ahead of the city's St. Patrick's Day parade.

The dyeing is carried out by members of the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Local 130 who have been turning the river emerald green since 1962 .

The best views in the city to see the dyeing are on Upper Wacker Drive between Columbus and Fairbanks, according to the Local, but you don't have to be in the Windy City to watch.

Here's how to watch the Chicago River St. Patrick's Day dyeing.

Why does Chicago dye it's river green for St. Patrick's Day?

In 1961 the then business manager of the plumbers local, Stephen Bailey, noticed that one of his member's coveralls had been stained green.

When the member said that the stains were a result of the chemicals used to discover leaks Bailey made the connection to the holiday and, according to the Local , said, "call the mayor, we'll dye the river green."

When is the river dyed green?

The river will be dyed green on Saturday at 10 a.m. CT.

Where can I watch the river being dyed?

NBC affiliate WMAQ is streaming the river dyeing on its website.

When does the Chicago St. Patrick's Day parade start?

The Chicago St. Patrick's Day parade will begin at 12:15 p.m. CT.