EXCELSIOR SPRINGS – Community residents, public safety personnel, the WaterFest Committee and festival vendors said canceling WaterFest because of downtown flooding, damage and impending thunderstorms made sense. “There was no loss of life, thank goodness,” Police Lt. Paul White said. “It could have been a lot worse because, if the forecast had kept going like they were calling for, it could have been bad. We were very, very fortunate.” Other concerns involved drivers making dangerous decisions regarding flooded roads and water over bridges. FESTIVAL CANCELLED The WaterFest Committee’s decision to cancel the city’s largest annual festival did not come easily, Chairman Brian Rice said. “We probably conversed for an hour about all options and about safety,” Rice said. “Just seeing the flood waters, looking at the forecast, looking at the safety factors … we decided for the safety of our vendors and our public we were going to cancel.” The festival would have included a fireworks…