The Cave-in-Rock Ferry that carries motorists across the Ohio River from Crittenden County into Illinois is closed Sunday due to high winds.
The National Weather Service is forecasting winds out of the southwest at about 20 miles per hour through the day with gusts to 30 mph.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet says when the wind is out of the west or southwest it interacts with current in the river to create choppy conditions. Due the hazard created by the rough water, the ferry halted service at 5 p.m. Saturday.
The Cave-In-Rock Ferry connects KY 91 with Illinois Route 1 across the Ohio River between Crittenden County and Hardin County, Illinois.
The ferry normally starts service at 6:00 a.m. seven days a week. The last run from the Illinois landing is at 9:40 p.m. The last run from the Kentucky landing is at 9:50 p.m.
About 500 vehicles use the service on an average day.
When the ferry is forced to close it turns a normal 10-mile trip between Cave-in-Rock and Marion into a 70-minute detour.