Rude awakening this morning!!

[shadows4]

Camping at Roaring River State Park this week. Decided to sleep in because if was raining. (Its a trout fishing park) Got woke up by a Park Ranger at 7:30 knocking on our door. He said to get ready to evacuate and that we would have about 30 min after the second warning!!!

Well luckily it has stopped raining and the water has dropped about 2 ft from the pics. The first one is behind our camp site and is normally a dry creek bed. The second one is just down from our site a ways. For those that have been here we are in Campground 1.

There is more rain on the way but it doesn't look to be as severe as what we got last night and this morning.

[PatStab]

I would have left, my life is worth more then a few days rent on a campsite. That may appear to careful but the people that live there or work there know more about it then I do. I'm glad you got lucky and all was well.

[old_guy]

back in the 80's when Mt St Helen blew we went camping on memorial weekend and there were rumors of another eruption. one morning I woke up and looked out the window to see something on hood of truck, thought it blew it's top again. got dressed and went out side to find two inches of snow. what a relief.

[Geocritter]

Years ago a geologist friend of mine was driving with an older experienced geologist far up a Middle East wadi (also called an arroyo or wash in the American southwest). They both heard far off thunder in the nearby mountains at which point the experienced geologist stopped the Jeep and turned to my friend and said, grab your gear and we’re going to climb out of here, now! My friend thought the guy was crazy, but did as he was told. A short time later he watched from the top of the wadi as their Jeep was carried away by a wall of water.

[ReadyToGo]

One thing no one has commented on is the possibility that even if it isn't raining where you are at does not mean that the river won't still rise.
This is so true in the southwest maybe more so than in your area.
This is what is normally called Flash Flooding and it is much worse because people don't see it coming.

[shadows4]

Morning everyone OP'er here. Well we survived the night rather well. Luckily all we got were moderate showers the rest of the morning yesterday. In fact, it cleared off for a couple of hours in the afternoon and if was just beautiful but soggy.

The creek bed behind us is down to about six inches of water running through it. I am guessing it was about four
feet deep and 15-20 yards wide before.

Fishing is tough, lots of leaves, twigs and branches in the water. Another day and it will probably be back to normal.

It is supposed to be cool and cloudy today. The rest of the week looks awesome!!

Thanks, for all the replies. I will be getting back to enjoying our vacation now. I may just drive Momma into Branson for some shopping today. Wish me luck guys! John

[Geocritter]

I learned about flash floods years ago. I was camping in southern Missouri with a more knowledgeable friend and was going to pitch camp next to the beautiful river. My friend told me to check out all the trash and debris caught in the tree branches about 8' off the ground. Sure enough, the trees were loaded with debris from a former flash flood. I pitched camp uphill and when a heavy rain came that night I was able to watch the water run by below me where I'd first planned to camp.

[rhagfo]

To the OP how was the water this morning?

[RoyB]

Happened to us a few years back Tent Camping at ELKMONT CAMP in the SMOKY MTN NATL PARK... We were setup a road in from the CREEKSIDE and heeded the Rangers plea to pack up and leave before it got any worse...

Went back in the next day to see how the camp sites made out and of course roads were blocked and all. We did see lots of tent sites all washed out up on one of the winding curves along the park road. Sure glad we packed up and got out early enough to miss the high waters predicted...

Roy Ken

[DSDP_Don]

Can someone please redirect that water to California!!!

We've been camping at Yosemite, during Thanksgiving, for the past 20+ years. Our second year, the ranger knocked at our door during dinner on the Friday after Thanksgiving. He told us we had to leave the park immediately due to a "Mono Wind" condition. A hundred mph wind that rushes through the valley. It was weird to see the line of RV headlights exiting Yosemite Valley.

[beemerphile1]

Two of our friends were camping together on the Natchez Trace. Both lost their trailers in a sudden flood.

They woke when they heard the water/waves against the side of the RV. They exited into a couple feet of water and only had time to move the TVs.

[noe-place]

I'm always careful where we go because flooding danger is one of my greatest fears. However I have no fear of bears, cougars, wildcats or the like (much).

[old_guy]

reminds me of the video on Utube where the guy had his TT out on an island and the tide came in. he almost had to get out and swim the truck and TT back to shore.

[CavemanCharlie]

Yes, if you do decide to stay make sure you have a few exit plans made and have stuff ready to go quickly. Forget the 30 minutes. Be out in 10 if necessary.

[gbopp]

jplante4 wrote:
Looks like the name of this SP is spot on. Remind me never to got to Forrest Fire Glen.

Good one. 🙂