Flooding affects morning Fourth of July festivities in Fulton

FULTON, Mo. (KMIZ)

Severe flash flooding had multiple roads in Fulton blocked off Thursday morning.

The flooding caused changes to Fourth of July festivities like the David Beaver Memorial Independence Day Parade.

In a post on their Facebook page, parade organizers said that the parade route would end at Fourth Street instead of Memorial Park. Floodwaters from Stinson Creek covered the park after heavy rains Wednesday and Thursday, surrounding a roundabout and the street.

Fulton Parks and Recreation announced the park and surrounding trails would be closed for the whole day in a Facebook post.

Todd Haenisch, a former Fulton resident in town for the holiday celebrations, said he had to take a 15-minute detour to get around the flooding and into Fulton for Thursday morning's parade.

"The only way you could get over to the other side on Business 54 was to go up to 54 Highway and then go all the way around because it was completely flooded," Haenisch said.

Owen and Hannah Lekar and Wyatt Gibbs and their parents are visiting Fulton for the holiday weekend. The children were disappointed when they arrived at Memorial Park to play on the splash pad but it was shut off due to the flooding.

"We were going to play here at the splash pad, but for some reason the water is shut off and now we have to rollerblade around here instead," Owen Lekar said.

Haenisch said this flooding is some of the worst he has witnessed in the years he lived in and has revisited Fulton.

"This is one of the worst incidences that we've been recording here and for all of the people that are old enough to be around to remember," Haenisch said.

In a post on their Facebook page, Fulton Police reminded locals not to drive around barricades or walk into flooded areas to ensure their safety.

"THE WATER IS FLOWING QUICKLY….Please do not risk your own safety," the post reads.

Fulton Police report Ewing Avenue between 10th and 11th streets was underwater Thursday afternoon and flooding had closed Brookside Drive North of McIntyre School.

Callaway County Sheriff's Office also advised caution to drivers in a post on Facebook.

"It is suspected that the water level will rise further as rivers are starting to back up," the post read, "PLEASE be cautious and avoid any water-covered roadways. Remember, Turn Around, Don't Drown".

ABC 17's Stormtrack Weather Team is tracking severe thunderstorms in Mid Missouri throughout the night adding even more to the water levels.