Hurricane Michael got my camper

[bookmaker]

I live in the Florida Panhandle at the intersection of Florida, Alabama and Georgia. Last Wednesday we had a visit from hurricane Michael. In fact, the eye crossed us with recorded sustained winds of 125 mph. No where near what hit the coast, but more than we have ever seen here.

Last spring I had a very nice 24x36 pole barn built to protect my camper. My camper was on my truck under the barn pending an upcoming trip. Unfortunately 2 pine trees went down on the barn and one, the largest at about 18-20" diameter, went through the roof and on the right rear corner of the camper. There was so much weight on it, the right rear jack pad, which was retracted fully, was on the ground. The front tires of the truck were nearly off the ground.

Finally yesterday, a crew removed the trees and lifted the barn trusses enough I could drive out. I removed the camper from the truck.

The truck bed is skewed low in the rear, but it appears to be ok otherwise. I need to have the frame and rear suspension checked carefully.

The camper has several holes in the roof in the bathroom area where the barn truss mashed down. There is a break in the left sidewall where the left forward tiedown fought against the right rear being pushed down. There is a crack in the right sidewall between the propane compartment and the slide out opening. The two front cab over strut brackets were pulled out. The worst is where the tree hit the roof over the slide. The edge of the roof crushed down some. How much I can't tell at this point.

I have filed an insurance claim, so we'll see how that goes.

All in all, we're really lucky. We lost most of the trees on our 6 acre lot, but our house has only minor damage. It will probably be weeks getting power back and months cleaning up the property.

But we have a roof over our heads and are unhurt.

I will try to post photos within a couple of days.

Dale

[SidecarFlip]

As old as your truck and camper is, you probably won't get much. Value is based on ACV and the ACV on a '97 350 isn't much. Likewise with the camper.

I dropped my standard insurance on my truck, I have a 97 F350 as well and insured it with Collectables Insurance for what it's actually worth, not what the insurance company says it's worth (ACV). Costs more but I have mine insured for 30 grand loss payable.

I have a new (2014) TC so it's on my regular policy.

My truck is actually appreciating in value now. 7.3's are the motor to have and a crew cab long bed 4x4 with no rust or mechanical issues is a very desireable unit. Been offered 20 cash recently. Not for sale.

[DutchmenSport]

Sorry to hear about your barn, the camper and your truck. Hope insurance works out OK for you. Although we are very far away from Michael's path, I was intently interested in what was happening. We've been going to the Florida pan handle every year over Christmas week for several years now. Port St. Joe State Park, Falling Waters State Park, Panama City to name a few. We don't have Florida planned for this Christmas, staying home. But our hearts are there and with you.

Good luck.

[wannavolunteerF]

Saw Marianna on the Weather Channel yesterday. It was heartbreaking. Glad your house came out okay and that you were safe. Michael was intense.

I am a bit further inland and thankfully Michael was only a Cat 1 by the time he got here. I have a huge pecan tree that I was so afraid that it would come over on house once eye wall passed. Terrifying in the dark. but all came out well.


None of us were expecting Michael to become what it became so quickly.

[jimh406]

Good luck with the insurance claim. Glad you are ok.

[gbopp]

Michael got your TC but, not you. That's all that matters.
I hope the insurance claim goes smoothly. Keep us updated.

[BradW]

Sorry that happened to your camper. That was a short lived but extremely intense storm that has cause a lot of major damage. Hope things work out for you.

Bradw