Since I have a two week reservation at Topsail Hill State Park Florida beginning Saturday 5th, I called the park this afternoon and ask would there be a possibility of campground closing due to Tropical Storm Karen. The park personnel said if it reaches Hurricane status (Category 1 74-95MPH sustain wind speed) will close campground. Since the Weather Channel said the storm could intensify Friday I decided to cancel Saturday and Sunday to avoid being stranded in the Destin area. That happened to me back in early 2000's in June that left us stranded one night in a hot school parking lot to wait out storm until campground opened.

Good safe decision.There will be other times.

The reports I've seen just expect a rain event. Too much dry air and wind sheer in the northern Gulf. But you never know.

Your better to be safe. Sorry about the trip

you dont want to be in it even if it is just a TS. Local flooding and downed power lines are always a pain.

We are also in Gulf Shores - waiting to see what happens. Being this is our first time to be in a situation like this....I think we will probably pack up and head out in the morning and go north for a couple of days - then come back for the Shrimp Festival!

Tropical Storm Karen could close Topsail Hill St. Pk.

13 Replies

cwill925
Explorer
Oct 04, 2013
We're at Topsail now, leaving Saturday morning, one day early. We planned to leave Sunday but whatever the storm strength, it will be raining Sunday morning. The park staff was preparing for a shutdown earlier today, but still waiting for a call to see if there would be an evacuation. As of 7:00 pm Friday evening, Topsail is still open. The storm is still expected to affect the area late Saturday and early Sunday. Weather man says Sunday afternoon should be clear as Karen departs the area.
lj2654
Explorer
Oct 04, 2013
They are saying 60 mph winds just below hurricane strength! I would not chance being in line near this storm in an rv regardless of what kind! Safe is the best way to deal with this storm!
lizzie
Explorer
Oct 04, 2013
Anybody want to evacuate to south of Dothan, you can stay at my winter site. Send me a pm. lizzie
edatlanta
Explorer II
Oct 04, 2013
I was evacuated from St. Andrews State Park twice in 2012 due to gulf storms. According to the park manager, if a Tropical Storm Warning (or hurricane) is issued, all Florida State Parks in the warning area are required to close and all campers and hosts are required to evacuate. The key word is "warning". If it is a warning, everyone leaves
tomkaren13
Explorer
Oct 04, 2013
This is Karen. Wish I could give you more info, but I'm the wrong Karen
MCDDY
Explorer
Oct 04, 2013
It's called "Due Diligence" in lawyer talk. Call Shearling Lakes RV Park in Greenville, Al. and see if they have a site open for a couple of days. You might stay a week though.

Good Luck
Dave
car2900
Explorer
Oct 04, 2013
We are currently here at Topsail but will be leaving this morning. Yesterday afternoon the rangers were not too concerned yet but were monitoring the forecast closely. Fortunately we are leaving only one day early to avoid all the rain. Two weeks ago when we arrived it rained the first three days. On top of all the rain they have had in this area all summer, the beach at Topsail is not in very good shape. The overflow from the inland lakes have breached the dunes and flowed into the ocean which has made a mess on the beach. Hopefully mother nature will clean it up before next spring when we return.
noe-place
Explorer
Oct 03, 2013
Wow, we usually come down right at the time of year this storm is expected to hit. However this year we decided to just visit the Smokies for a week. Must be an Angel watching out for us.
okiejules
Explorer
Oct 03, 2013
We are also in Gulf Shores - waiting to see what happens. Being this is our first time to be in a situation like this....I think we will probably pack up and head out in the morning and go north for a couple of days - then come back for the Shrimp Festival!
RVUSA
Explorer
Oct 03, 2013
you dont want to be in it even if it is just a TS. Local flooding and downed power lines are always a pain.