The City of Wheeling is hoping for the best but preparing for the worst, and now Wheeling Island residents have a way to watch the water levels themselves.

The city has installed water level gauges in four different locations on Wheeling Island.

The gauges are located at the Island Marina, two at the Fort Henry Bridge base, and one at the Wheeling Fire Station.

City Operations Director Rusty Jebbia said the gauges aren't scientific, but are for residents to watch the water levels rise during a flood.

The gauges are clearly marked by feet, with the flood stage of the Ohio River at Wheeling Island at 36 feet.

Jebbia said they are preparing the city's trucks, removing cinder and salt spreaders and getting the dump trucks ready to help with debris removal after possible flooding.