Riding out a hurricane

I'm no expert, but according to all the maps I've looked at from NOAA, it's tracking straight up the middle of Fl. Also looks like the track has it hitting mid Fl in 3 days. Personally I wouldn't put my life nor my loved ones in danger just for the chance that you might be ok. I would ensure that I was Ok. Not to mention, riding it out will be a pretty scary event and why put yourself through that nightmare? Now it's obvious a MH pointed into the wind can sustain a lot of wind, otherwise you couldn't drive it. However we all know what it feels like in a MH with a slight side wind. There is also debris. Wouldn't take much to punch a hole through the wall, window or roof of most MH's. And despite stowing your stuff, you can't account for every limb or all the other stuff that folks didn't care for. The construction of a shelter to sustain a Hurricane is a lot different than the construction of an RV. Frankly it becomes a liability. Why risk it? Call someone to help you guys get somewhere safe for a few days. Good luck.

Keep and eye on the track. If it looks like it will stay off the coast then you are likely going to be fine in Central FL. However!, you must have everything setup for you to be able to leave the RV and get to some kind of shelter if the track if "iffy" or if it looks like it could come inland. Leave the RV if you must but get yourself to a safe place. I was in FL twice for hurricanes on the East Coast. The first forecast said it would hit our area so we took the RV to Orlando. The hurricane never hit but that's OK. The 2nd time they said it was not coming into our area so..no worries..WRONG! It turned and we got clobbered. Don't mess with these things (they also spawn tornados)! You have to be prepared to leave even if you must leave everything else behind.

Okay... I've been the Emergency Management Coordinator for my County for the past 22 years. My daily job is to prepare my citizens for this type of situation. 10 years ago I was preparing to leave for New Orleans on a 6-member team from North Carolina to try to take control of the chaos. I've been deployed multiple times to our coastal counties to assist in incident management prior to and following hurricanes. We get hit a few times each year, so our NCEM Team is well versed in hurricane storm response and the devastation these storms can cause..... With that said as my credentials....

The current track of Erika is still uncertain. It may simply skirt the coastline, it may go inland, or it may turn back out to sea altogether. There are many variables that will determine its path and its strength over the next few days. You should stay tuned to local weather stations and the National Hurricane Center's website for the latest conditions and forecast track. First and foremost, you do not need to consider staying in your coach during a storm of this type. Although it could be one of the industry's strongest coaches, it is not strong enough to sustain a hit from flying debris or to resist sustained 75-80MPH winds. The first places we recommend evacuation during storms are mobile home parks. And these manufactured homes are strapped to the ground with deep anchors.....your coach is not but it is similarly constructed. Keep in mind that the forecast winds for a hurricane are "sustained" winds and not the top wind gusts that may accompany the storm....sometimes 100MPH+ in a tropical storm, much less a Category 1 Hurricane. If you are near a river or other body of water, you may experience inland flooding and/or flash flooding which quite frankly can be worse than the winds and can come up almost as fast. New Orleans survived the winds of Katrina quite well, but the flooding devastated them. There is a myriad of potential problems that can be associated with a hurricane that no matter how much you THINK you are prepared to ride out, you won't be! The only way to avoid the dangers of a hurricane is to NOT be there when it comes by. I must repeat...DO NO TRY TO RIDE OUT A HURRICANE IN A MOTORHOME!

Contact the local Office of Emergency Management there in the county you are in and ask for their advice. They may even be able to assist you in moving your coach to a safer location and you and your family to a safe shelter for the duration of the storm. This jpg is the latest forecast track for Erika from the National Hurricane Center. As I get updates, I will try to post them here to assist any of our Florida members with current information. Please, please , please stay safe and err on the side of caution instead of HOPING that the storm won't be bad.

jerseyjim wrote:
Button up the coach as well as you can....and get outta there. Find out where the wind might be minimal and get a hotel room there. Make sure the hotel has it's own restaurant.

G'luck!

Assuming you can't move the rig (if you can suck it up and go northwest 2-3hrs):

Button up the rig, fill the water tank and put the stabilizers down. Then get in the truck and get out of town.

Rode out a hurricane on the outer banks of NC. The storm was in the gulf and crossed over FL and overnight cut the island off. Too high winds to use the ferry so we waited. Take in the slides and if possible face the non slide side towards the wind. Front towards the wind too is good. Unplug and unhook and use your generator. Mod not tech the sides as you are a faraday cage. Get out of the way of trees too and find the highest site so you do not flood. Tornados are your biggest risk really.

As already mentioned, button up the coach, get in that pickup and head to the nearest shelter. There has to be something available near you. Make sure you have some water, granola bars/munchies etc. Have a flashlight or two and some blankets. Good Luck hope it misses you.

From my own experience, this storm is supposed to be only a cat 1 hurricane which is a minimal hurricane. It is predicted to come up the East Coast of Florida which will put you on the West side of the storm, which means you will get some winds and maybe some rain but it will not be the strongest portion of the storm, which is East of the eye.
Filling the fresh water tank is a good idea. You should pull in the slides and some people recommend raising your leveling jacks so that the coach rocks on it's suspension, rather than bounces on the jacks, which may cause frame damage.
Make sure that you have full fuel so that you can use the generator and full propane so that you can cook. Empty your waste tanks before the storm.
Have someone walk around your parking place to see if there are any loose branches in the trees that may come down during the storm. Make sure that there are no loose objects around your coach or any of the other coaches near you.
Retract your TV antenna when the storm gets near but try to keep your TV on for updates. In Central Florida you should be able to receive many channels even with the antenna down. Make sure that your cell phone batteries are charged and keep the phone near you.
Let me know where you are at in Central Florida. If you are close to my stick home, I will come and pick you up to stay with us. We have plenty of room and I built the house strong enough for a cat 5 hurricane.

I agree with calling the police non emergency number. They might be able to direct you to someone who could help. I would not try to ride out a hurricane. We had a condo in Sebring years ago and it suffered some roof damage from a hurricane, Charlie (?) maybe. So I would not try to ride it out even if you don't think you are in the path. Either find someone to move your rig or get yourself to a shelter. I'm sure emergency personnel would be able to help. Our son lives in Melbourne so we are watching this closely.

Dale

acker1
Just my opinion riding out the storm could work depending on how strong it is when it gets to where you are. As others have said consider staying at a safer structure during the storm.

If you are in a park with trees they can be your friend and protect you from the wind but they could be what falls and damage coach.

You have an advantage over others in that your in a MOTOR HOME I would think you could find someone to get you hooked up so you could leave area for a few days then return for your treatment assuming you can drive your rig.

I live in North central Fl. I could head your way and help in anyway you would need including driving your rig. Let me know wife and I will jump in car and head your way.

Button up the coach as well as you can....and get outta there. Find out where the wind might be minimal and get a hotel room there. Make sure the hotel has it's own restaurant.

G'luck!