Georgia

Campers evacuated over raging waters at High Falls State Park

BUTTS COUNTY, Ga. — About a dozen campers had to be evacuated from a Georgia State park Thursday because of flooding.

Channel 2’s Lori Wilson went to High Falls State Park in Butts County on Thursday, where she found the water rushing and flooding part of the lower river campground. Park officials said the hiking trails were closed, too.

“It's beautiful. It's like nature, calming. I used to walk the trails just to see the bottom of the falls,” Angel Barkley said.

She told Wilson that she went out to High Falls State Park to take video and pictures of the water rushing over the falls.

“This is great, actually. I'm sorry it had to come with rain but just seeing the fall like this” is beautiful, Barkley said.

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The falls were four feet above crest level Thursday. Signs greeted visitors saying the lower river campground was closed due to flooding.

“I think it’s just the power of Mother Nature. The sounds, it’s very soothing and a lot of times people are drawn to that and I get it ... they just don’t always think about the safety aspect of it,” said Sierra Herndon with High Falls State Park.

James and Mandy Floyd brought their three sons out to see the power of nature firsthand.

“We wanted to teach them a little about what happens when it floods and how fast it can go up and how dangerous it can be,” Mandy Floyd said.

“I think this is probably our first time seeing it up this high, son Austin Floyd said.

“I think it's dangerous and I think no one should go near it,” son Jason Floyd said.

The lower river campground is supposed to reopen Monday, but more rain is expected.

“We're just monitoring it constantly and working with Monroe County Emergency Management Agency and the police and fire department,” Herndon said.

Park officials say they already reached out to people planning to visit this weekend to help them make other reservations.