The Ohio River in Cincinnati surged to 60.79 feet, flooding homes and prompting a large-scale emergency response.
Marine Rescue teams carried out welfare checks on about 20 residents in partially submerged homes and successfully rescued individuals trapped in two vehicles near the East End.
A flood warning has been extended through Friday afternoon, with officials urging residents to avoid travel on waterlogged roads and remain alert to changing conditions.
This marks the highest water level in the region since 1997, when the river peaked at 64.7 feet, causing widespread devastation.
City officials have begun coordinating cleanup operations, which are expected to continue well into next week as floodwaters recede and the full extent of the damage is assessed.