Very Scary Situation. What Would You Do?

[KenMast]

A few days ago, a very scary situation happened in Florida. An RV resort got flooded. People had to be evacuated in boats. The water was about 2 to 3 feet high. It made me stop and thing (and worry).

Link to Story.

What would you do in this situation? You're in your RV, it's 2 AM and raining like crazy. You hear water rushing by and you look out and it's a foot high and rising fast. What do you do? Do you stand in water almost up to your knees and unplug your electrical connection? Do you disconnect your sewer connection and try to leave? It's Florida. The water is rising from the rain and an over flowing river. Are there alligators in the water? A scary, but real possibility.

What is the best thing to do? What would you do? I'm staying in Florida for two months in Jan & Feb. I haven't come up with a good answer myself.

Ken

[A_hitch_and_hop]

Ken,
In the first place, just to ease you fears, Jan Feb are the dry months in Florida. We very seldom have storms in those months. Come down, bring your money and enjoy the fine weather. The odds of being caught in a heavy storm in Florida is great.

[D___M]

If you hear knee deep water "rushing" by your RV, it's too late to do anything. Buckle up and hang on.

What would I do? I would drive away the day before and head for high ground. This is why they invented weather radios and apps for your cell phone.

[Slamnslash]

I would jump in the kayak and ride!!

Jk haul ass to high ground. If no high ground, boat, or kayak and throw on the pfd

[Dog_Folks]

frankdamp wrote:
High ground in Florida? We have high ground around here in WA, but I don't recall seeing any in Fla.

That is because the highest ground in Florida is a nose bleeding 345 feet and you missed it. 🙂

The net change in elevation from Lake Okeechobee to the tip of the Everglades, (130 miles) is 21 feet.

It is just a matter of perspective. High ground in Florida is defined as a interstate overpass.

[frankdamp]

High ground in Florida? We have high ground around here in WA, but I don't recall seeing any in Fla.

[Veebyes]

3' of water is waist deep. That is alot. That puts water well over most camper floors. A serious situation & well past time to get out.

Given weather forcasting today, I would be paying attention & getting out of any CG that is next to a river & obviously flood prone. That is often why CGs are where they are & not homes.

At the very least everything would be done to make for a very quick get away, i.e. everything except possibly shorepower disconnected & all hitched up.

When going into a riverside CG I always look for signs of a recent high water mark just to have an idea of potentially what can happen.

[dennislanier]

That is a tough one. Based on your scenario, I could not care less about unhooking or unplugging anything. If the water is one foot high and rising my ONLY thought would be to get our NOW. The question then becomes whether you can drive out safely to higher ground. Knowing the terrain BEFORE you get in that situation is critical. It might even be safer to WALK out if higher ground is nearby. At any rate, LEAVE THE CAMPER immediately and get to higher ground even if you have to walk.

[Dog_Folks]

RayJayco wrote:
Too much to read all of the replies so I will only address the OP. Keep in mind that I am a native Floridian and have had a home in Tampa all of my life.

The news article that OP posted states that the area the RV parks are in is prone to flooding. I agree, see why below...
There are areas around Tampa Bay that are prone to flooding as we are about 15 feet above sea level on average.

The storm drainage system in some areas is very old and needs updating. Todays standards are quite different from the times when it was originally developed as well a much greater population.

The entire northern end of Tampa Bay (Technically "Old Tampa Bay" and some unofficial local names) is a flood zone. For those that don't agree, ...check the FEMA maps... I can provide links if you want...

Typically in Florida, anywhere near water- the coast, rivers, lakes, etc., has the potential to flood, as we are flat, as in no mountains and again, very close to sea level...

Well over a week in advance it was told that we had a tropical low sitting over us and a high to the north holding the low in place, expect rain everyday, with about 80% coverage... Even people that don't watch the weather reports regularly should know enough to start to wonder after several days of heavy rain, ditches filling, etc., and start checking...

It reminds me of the guy standing in the flooded streets of New Orleans after Katrina, saying he just wants what he deserves...

Keep in mind that the news is an entertainment medium. They show what people want to see, which is usually an edited part of the worst case scenario...

Yes, we had flooding. It doesn't happen to this extent very often. And the same areas typically flood. Our entire area was NOT under water... My lake rose about 3 feet and would need to rise another 10-12 feet to get to my house. The streets in my neighborhood were not flooded. (I live a few blocks north of Tampa City limits near the Lake Magdalene neighborhood)

This was different than a hurricane as a hurricane comes and dumps a massive amount of rain (and storm surge which is a major source of the damage) and moves on.
This was a steady rain for days...

As far as to unplug the RV... I am sure that some people at those RV parks unplugged and some didn't. I have heard of no (zero) electrocutions or fires there... Keep in mind that it is an RV and can be replaced. If you are afraid, don't touch it and evacuate...

Alligators?
You have a far greater chance of getting struck by lightning than being attacked by a gator. They typically stay away from people...
Even if you do see one. I have swam around gators quite a few times, both knowing they were there and not... Crocodiles are dangerous, we have none in FL except down at the extreme southern end of state (everglades).
Yes, some people feed the gators and cause them to lose their fear, however your chances of encountering is minimal. Better to watch out for displaced water moccasins...
If fact, you should probably fear bull sharks more than gators as the bay is full of them, and they have no problem visiting or living in fresh water...

What should you do? Simple:

Fill all of your tanks with water- fresh, gray and black. This will give your RV weight closer to the ground adding stability.

Unplug or not- your choice. If unsure, turn off the breakers inside and go to a hotel...

Listen to the weather reports if you see the ditches filling, notice standing water or have rain for a significant amount of time and has hard without letting up... It does not flash flood here... It takes time...

Listen for evacuation bulletins and comply if ordered...

Go to a hotel/motel if in doubt or call 911 and they will come and get you...


Summer is our rainy season. As when you are in any place that you are not familiar, listen to the weather reports, ask locals, pay attention and be aware. Common sense goes a long way...

The above is a little long, but IF you truly want the answer, there it is.

As a 35 year resident of south Florida, (Naples) I can only say the information contained here is accurate and comprehensive. Good job RayJayco. Well done.

To the OP: Your stay in January and February will not be affected. Don't worry. Those months are in the middle of Florida's dry season. You will not see much rain, if any at all.

[RayJayco]

Just to add, I have not heard of any deaths.

And remember, Never drive through flooded streets. Not only are you putting yourself and vehicle at risk, you are also causing more damage to surrounding homes...

Probably 25 years ago, maybe longer, I recall a vehicle driving through a flooded street by I-275, and they happened to drive into a ditch that was a major drainage into the bay. They drowned in their vehicle...

[beemerphile1]

Friends had that happen to them a few years ago. Both were in TTs in a regular campground parked by a stream. During the night one heard water and the TT started to rock as the water lifted it from the ground.

They got out of the RV, woke the friends they were with and then moved the tow vehicles to higher ground. Both RVs were totaled.

My concern would be for myself and my family. I would get everyone to higher ground, save whatever could be saved safely, and not worry about the property or $$ loss.

[RayJayco]

Too much to read all of the replies so I will only address the OP. Keep in mind that I am a native Floridian and have had a home in Tampa all of my life.

The news article that OP posted states that the area the RV parks are in is prone to flooding. I agree, see why below...
There are areas around Tampa Bay that are prone to flooding as we are about 15 feet above sea level on average.

The storm drainage system in some areas is very old and needs updating. Todays standards are quite different from the times when it was originally developed as well a much greater population.

The entire northern end of Tampa Bay (Technically "Old Tampa Bay" and some unofficial local names) is a flood zone. For those that don't agree, ...check the FEMA maps... I can provide links if you want...

Typically in Florida, anywhere near water- the coast, rivers, lakes, etc., has the potential to flood, as we are flat, as in no mountains and again, very close to sea level...

Well over a week in advance it was told that we had a tropical low sitting over us and a high to the north holding the low in place, expect rain everyday, with about 80% coverage... Even people that don't watch the weather reports regularly should know enough to start to wonder after several days of heavy rain, ditches filling, etc., and start checking...

It reminds me of the guy standing in the flooded streets of New Orleans after Katrina, saying he just wants what he deserves...

Keep in mind that the news is an entertainment medium. They show what people want to see, which is usually an edited part of the worst case scenario...

Yes, we had flooding. It doesn't happen to this extent very often. And the same areas typically flood. Our entire area was NOT under water... My lake rose about 3 feet and would need to rise another 10-12 feet to get to my house. The streets in my neighborhood were not flooded. (I live a few blocks north of Tampa City limits near the Lake Magdalene neighborhood)

This was different than a hurricane as a hurricane comes and dumps a massive amount of rain (and storm surge which is a major source of the damage) and moves on.
This was a steady rain for days...

As far as to unplug the RV... I am sure that some people at those RV parks unplugged and some didn't. I have heard of no (zero) electrocutions or fires there... Keep in mind that it is an RV and can be replaced. If you are afraid, don't touch it and evacuate...

Alligators?
You have a far greater chance of getting struck by lightning than being attacked by a gator. They typically stay away from people...
Even if you do see one. I have swam around gators quite a few times, both knowing they were there and not... Crocodiles are dangerous, we have none in FL except down at the extreme southern end of state (everglades).
Yes, some people feed the gators and cause them to lose their fear, however your chances of encountering is minimal. Better to watch out for displaced water moccasins...
If fact, you should probably fear bull sharks more than gators as the bay is full of them, and they have no problem visiting or living in fresh water...

What should you do? Simple:

Fill all of your tanks with water- fresh, gray and black. This will give your RV weight closer to the ground adding stability.

Unplug or not- your choice. If unsure, turn off the breakers inside and go to a hotel...

Listen to the weather reports if you see the ditches filling, notice standing water or have rain for a significant amount of time and has hard without letting up... It does not flash flood here... It takes time...

Listen for evacuation bulletins and comply if ordered...

Go to a hotel/motel if in doubt or call 911 and they will come and get you...


Summer is our rainy season. As when you are in any place that you are not familiar, listen to the weather reports, ask locals, pay attention and be aware. Common sense goes a long way...

[mowermech]

First, stay out of the flood plain, if possible.
Second, I am always aware of flood potential in campgrounds. I avoid low-lying areas. On the hill is always better than in the gully!
Third, I keep an eye on the weather all around the area where I am camped. A heavy rainfall miles away can cause a flash flood, even though my campsite is in sunshine!

[dcason]

It will be the dry season when you go...so breath.

I would have been out of the flood prone region when all that rain was predicted...less stress that way...alligators alone would propel me.

[edatlanta]

2oldman wrote:
I would have paid very close attention to the weather reports 3 days ago. Nowadays these things are predictable, but many don't listen.

I agree 2oldman. Keep your own eyes on the weather, listen and watch reports and I don't just mean on TV. Use the resources available and leave before it gets bad.