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 There was so much weight on it, the right rear jack pad, which was retracted fully, was on the ground.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

[2edgesword]

Glad everyone is safe and the insurance company is going to take care of the damage. Time to go shopping :).

[SidecarFlip]

One thing about the older Ford trucks that is nice and that is the frame is flexible and repairable. I call mine a 'flexible flyer'. When I run it off road, it really articulates (twists) and returns to it's original shape with no issues. I do break sway bar links once in a while however. In fact, I made the rear links so I can quickly detach them to allow the axle to articulate and the frame to flex without popping the links. Basically, I cut the link, threaded the cut ends and added a threaded sleeve.

[bookmaker]

I got good news today. The insurance company called and explained the camper will be totaled. They also said the policy was for a flat payout amount. The payout amount was set at what we bought the camper for, plus taxes, less a small deductible. WOW, was I surprised.

Of course they want the salvage.

My truck has a bend in the frame, basically it is high in the middle, but no kinks and apparently is repairable. The insurance repair quote is less than my $1,000 deductible. I know a good frame shop in Dothan, AL. that I plan on calling to schedule a repair. I really like that truck.

Just need to get the final paperwork and I should be receiving a check. Rose and I are already looking for a replacement.

Dale

[bookmaker]

Yes, I think it took everyone by surprise.

My daughter is the lead Vet at Gulf World Marine Park in Panama City Beach. She and several others stayed at the facility as a "ride out' crew to watch over the animals. They never lost power and had no significant damage. She has power and water at her apartment on PC beach. Just goes to show, being in the right place at the right time pays off. We have no power here in Marianna, and don't expect to here in my neighborhood for weeks.

But, we have a roof over our heads, a good generator (actually 2) and are reasonably comfortable. Bless those who aren't so lucky.

Dale

[wannavolunteerF]

So sorry for your damage. Like you I was not prepared for this storm to become what it became so quickly. I watched it come inland and was so scared as it stayed so strong for so long. I am further inland and luckily didn't sustain that much damage. Thank goodness it slowed to a Cat 1 by the time it got here.

The trees caused so much trouble to so many even far inland. Trees and RV's just don't seem to be a good mix.

[bookmaker]

The tree for sure. Actually 2 pine trees. Of course, it was the wind that blew down the trees. My building was built with 6x6 wooden posts and steel trusses about 12" deep. It was rated over 120mph. But there is no indication it came down, or apart before the tree fell. Any loose metal is right under it.

One of my neighbors came over earlier today and said their anemometer registered over 140 mph before it broke. That's some big wind this far inland.

[wanderingbob]

Do you think it was the wind or was it the trees that took your building out !I have a similar building here in Crawfordville , I think that I may have bought it in Chipley , just down the road from you !

[bookmaker]

Try this

[bookmaker]

I don't remember how to post photos. Must they be from a site like photobucket with a URL? That is the only photo link I see.

[bookmaker]

That's a valid question. I have lived in Florida all my life, I'll be 65 on the 23rd, grew up in Miami, and have been through many hurricanes. I was pretty familiar with the expected outcome. I have lived in Marianna since 1978 and had several through this general area. We are nearly 60 miles from the coast line, so normal hurricanes cause problems, but not catastrophic destruction this far inland. Of course, this one turned out not to be normal in any sense of the word.

We had set it up as a standby if we lost power to the house with the refrigerator running and gas for the generator. Unfortunately, that plan didn't play out with the odds.

We also have a basement we can head for if it really had gotten bad. We did that when Ivan spun off tornadoes through here.

Hope this answers your question.

Dale

[Big_Rig1]

Sorry about your camper, but I am wondering why you weren't in your camper and out of the path of the storm. I know that would have been my first choice and one of the reasons I would have a camper in your part of the country.
If you have ever read Truck Camper Magazine, they did some articles on the TC being a FEV (Family Emergeny Vehicle). Lots of folks have used their campers for emergency situations such as yours.


Big Rig

[mbloof]

Sorry to hear of your loss however I'm glad that you are ok.


- Mark0.

[SidecarFlip]

I have to say, I'm glad Amy and I live where we do. I don't like hurricanes or tropical storms.

We might get some snow and hail once in a while and even an odd tornado rarely but the weather is pretty docile up here. We do get the tail end of those storms in the form of rain, if they track NE.

[Kayteg1]

Sorry to hear it. Loss is always a loss even when you have insurance.
Seem internet works well without the power?
I understand you use generator, but are cellphones working ok after the storm?

[NRALIFR]

Sorry to hear that Dale. I know you liked your 1121 a lot, and I don’t blame you. Good luck with your insurance claim.

I’ve been watching the news closely for updates on the storm damage, particularly where it made landfall. I was stationed at Tyndall AFB for almost four years ‘(77-‘81), and lived in Parker, which is just west of the base. I’d like to see a aerial view of my old neighborhood now. When I lived there, Florida Caverns SP up near you was one of our favorite places to go camping.

I spent most of my time there working on the base in Hangar 5, the large quonset hut shaped hangar at the west end of the flight line. From what I’ve read in the news, it sounds like nothing on the base was spared. Hangar 5 was severely damaged, with a good portion of the roof blown off. The pictures I’ve seen of it are looking down through the roof at the damaged aircraft that were inside.

Very sad. It’s going to take a long time to clean up that mess.

:):)