DAVIS, Okla. -- City of Davis officials are counting up the costs this evening after flooding forced more than 2,000 campers to evacuate Turner Falls. Historically, Memorial Day is a big money-maker for the park, next to the Fourth of July.
But Mother Nature had other plans, and now the park is expected to remain closed for the next few days.
Inches of rain in a matter of hours forced Honey Creek to flood its banks, stranding the hundreds of campers who were hoping to spend the Memorial Day weekend relaxing among the waterfalls.
At one time authorities thought they'd be stuck here for several days. They brought in the American Red Cross to provide meals and dry shelter.
However officials were able to open the gates this morning so everyone could go home in time for work on Tuesday.
The water had gone down two feet, but it’s still off limits. Officials will spend the next few days clearing debris from the creek. But they're hoping the park will be back in business this weekend.
Turner Falls manager Tom Graham says, "It’s happened before. We'll make it through it."
Turner Falls officials saw a similar scene two years ago on Labor Day weekend.
They were hoping to bring in $120,000 this weekend. They made about $20,000.
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