Riding out a hurricane

Y'know what guys, this has seriously degenerated.

In a minimal/TS hurricane I'd probably stay put. Heavy rain and 60kt winds. News flash! We do that most summer days in Florida.

Hurricane Charlie was said to be fat tornado, and I think that's pretty accurate. It came ashore as a Cat 1 hurricane. In the park in Kissimmee all the pines and most upper oak limbs were down but there was no RV damage at all. Two mobile homes were mushed and many had some roof damage. The biggest problem was the lack of electricity or sewer service for about a week.

Up the road a mile or so was a different story. There had previously been a couple of mobile homes out in the pastures. After Charlie there were only frames chained down to the ground. Just frames. And the stick houses were worse; no sticks at all.

As for fleeing, I met people who fled Key West in their RV to Fort Myers...and then fled to Kissimmee where Charlie caught up with them.

The time to leave is NOT after the storm. We went up to Orlando and couldn't find a gas station that could pump gas. Nada. Spent the night parked by Lake Eola.

So...I think that if it's almost assured to be a TS I'd stay put; any more than that I'm off to a hundred miles or so northward. Although you might survive it, the lack of services or access to services can create difficulties. Very few of us are prepared at any moment to go boondock without services for a week or more.

RayJayco wrote:

This really doesn't appear to be much more than a typical summer storm for us, however if the rangers can't get you packed up, I can go that way with my 2 boys, each 21 years old and do whatever is necessary, including a place to stay at our home in Tampa.

And Thank You for your service to our country!

Many thanks for the offer. I think it's all under control now. I work a couple of hrs a day to put things away (we have been parked here for almost a year) and should be able to leave after Labor Day.

Thanks again,
DICK

msmith1199 wrote:

creeper wrote:

msmith1199 wrote:
For those that keep giving advice about pointing the motorhome into or away from the wind, it won't work! The wind direction is going to shift as the storm passes. And if it passes directly over you the direction is going to change 180 degrees from one side of the eye to the other.

Yes then you turn around, this is only if you get STUCK in a storm, not something is recommended. Same thing goes if you're hiding behind a building. When the winds start to shift you move.

So go back to the RV in the middle of the hurricane and turn it around as the wind shifts? Huh?

If you're riding out a hurricane because you could't leave, you'd be IN the RV, so there is no going back to the RV. If you're someplace safe and not stuck in the RV then who cares about the RV it's insured.

creeper wrote:

msmith1199 wrote:
For those that keep giving advice about pointing the motorhome into or away from the wind, it won't work! The wind direction is going to shift as the storm passes. And if it passes directly over you the direction is going to change 180 degrees from one side of the eye to the other.

Yes then you turn around, this is only if you get STUCK in a storm, not something is recommended. Same thing goes if you're hiding behind a building. When the winds start to shift you move.

So go back to the RV in the middle of the hurricane and turn it around as the wind shifts? Huh?

Just for the information purposes of others that may have the same questions, I do not agree with emptying the tanks as you want as much weight as possible, as low as possible...

I would empty and flush gray and black, then fill all tanks with water and the tub also, then I would leave and head to a hotel...

Under no circumstances would you want to be in an RV during a hurricane...


I stayed on our boat (46' sport fish) in Key West Bight (A&B Marina) during Charlie about 10 years ago. You haven't lived until you have been on a boat with a hurricane approaching! I really don't advise anyone doing this either...


This really doesn't appear to be much more than a typical summer storm for us, however if the rangers can't get you packed up, I can go that way with my 2 boys, each 21 years old and do whatever is necessary, including a place to stay at our home in Tampa.

And Thank You for your service to our country!

msmith1199 wrote:
For those that keep giving advice about pointing the motorhome into or away from the wind, it won't work! The wind direction is going to shift as the storm passes. And if it passes directly over you the direction is going to change 180 degrees from one side of the eye to the other.

Yes then you turn around, this is only if you get STUCK in a storm, not something is recommended. Same thing goes if you're hiding behind a building. When the winds start to shift you move.

Thanks again for the replies and offers of help. I have been a member of this forum since 2001 and been to a few of the rallies. Met lots of fine people, online and in person.

DICK

Dick, good luck in your recovery! This is why I live on the West Coast no Hurricanes or Tornados. I would be very uncomfortable riding either one of what I posted out.

acker1 wrote:
I am in central Fl. Just got out of hospital 2 days ago. I will probably have to stay put thru the coming hurricane. I am in a state park and all the other volunteers have left for the summer. Been set up since sept to start knee replacements. Since then other med problems have come up and we are still here. I physically won't be able to prepare to leave here.

Any suggestions and how to prep for this event? All slides in? Fill fresh water tank? Remove window covers? etc.

Thanks
DICK

on edit: levelers up or down?

The last year we lived in Fl. we had 4 hurricanes.
If you are going to be in the cone of damage you want to be in a shelter NOT in an RV.

Call 911 and explain your situation.
They will evacuate you.

rgatijnet1 wrote:

JetAonly wrote:

rgatijnet1 wrote:
Here is a good link to get storm info for your area. You are in Hardee County and as of now there is not much to worry about. You may get some rain and wind next week but probably less than 40 MPH winds and a few inches of rain. In Florida, during the Summer, this is pretty typical weather.
If I were you I would sit tight, relax, and watch TV. No need to panic.
Storm news
Here is also a link to the Hardee County Emergency website that gives you a phone number to contact for special help if the need arises. Hardee County Emergency Management

This is good advice.

I too am non ambulatory. Friends have prepared us to move, although that is unlikely. We are near Panama City. My BIL, a meterologist, says the wind in our area will be ~ 20 mph.

Here is the link for Bay County Emergency Management IF you need Emergency Transportation if things change with this or any other future storms. Bay County Emergency Management

Thank you, that was very kind,