Park officials warn people to stay out of flooded waters and be cautious of flooded areas

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

According to Columbia Parks and Recreation, common areas that tend to flood are along the MKT Trail, The Hinkson Creek Trail, and the Grindstone Nature Area. It says as of Wednesday afternoon, most of those places were underwater.

The Director of Columbia Parks and Recreation Mike Griggs says visitors should watch out for uneven trails and debris left from the floodwater.

"We have crews that will be back out there trying to rebuild the trails," Griggs said. "We want everybody to be cautious just because the waters not there, there's still damage."

Columbia Parks and Recreation also wanted to remind residents not to drive around barricades or signs because it's difficult to judge water levels.

"We want people to not drive around those [barricades], and that's whether it's here in the city or in the county or anywhere," Griggs said. "It's a good rule to follow."

The Missouri Department of Conservation warns people should always be cautious of going out in the water but especially in floodwaters. It said if people plan on going on the water, they should tell someone, make a plan, and tell the person when they are getting back from the water.

Floodwaters can be enticing to kayakers and canoers but there's one major thing people should be aware of when going out on the water.

"Any kind of vegetation in the water...when the water is low, may not be a problem, even if you're very familiar with the stream," Robert Hemmelgarn of the Missouri Department of Conservation said. "When the water comes up, the flow goes through new places and with a situation like a strainer, water flows through the debris but obviously people don't."

The department said it only takes a few inches of water to sweep a person off their feet. Before deciding to cross a body of water on foot or in a vehicle, the organization reminds people to remember the saying, 'turn around, don't drown.'

According to the World Health Organization, drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional injury death worldwide.

Another round of storms was possible late Wednesday afternoon into the evening.