Fifth Wheelin'
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Friday, April 06, 2007

I Don't Think the 5th Wheel's in Kansas Anymore, Toto

While New Mexico only ranks 28th on the list for frequency of tornadoes, try telling that to Tamie Elam. Tammy was in Logan, New Mexico on March 23 when a big twister blew through town. She and her dog, Rope, couldn't click their heels together fast enough to avoid living through something most of us fifth-wheel folks have wondered about: What would happen if our 5er got hit with a tornado?

"I think the one thing that I’ve learned throughout this whole thing is that we don’t take the watches and warnings seriously enough. We are way too nonchalant about them. I’ve been ‘round tornadoes all my life ... We don’t take ‘em serious enough." That was Tamie’s assessment from--of all places, Kansas--where she is currently recovering from the ‘up close and personal’ experience of riding out--and being spit out of--a tornado.

Tamie’s 30’ fifth wheel was picked up by the twister with Tamie and Rope inside. Knocked around inside the rig like a tennis shoe in the clothes dryer, she recalls the fifth wheel being spun around a couple of times, and then found herself on the ground outside, unable to stand up. Rope was a 100 yards away, under some of the remains of the fifth wheel. Tamie suffered numerous fractures, Rope came out much better.

With the fifth wheel a total loss and no insurance coverage, Tamie and Rope will be looking for a new home after she recovers from her injuries. This time, she says, the new house will have a cellar. For pictures of Tamie and Toto--er--Rope, visit the Quay County Sun newspaper.

posted by Russ and Tiña De Maris at 5:12 PM

8 Comments:

  • I've worried about this many times, while wintering in the warmer climates. I have good insurance, but am not positive that it covers "natural disasters", such as tornado's & hurricane's. Our motorhome is our only home and I don't know what we would do if it got blown away. I'm checking my policy. Maybe you should too!

    By Anonymous DaveB, at 7:51 AM  

  • Wow. That makes my blood run kind of cold. She was unlucky...and very lucky at the same time.

    By Anonymous Linda, at 10:30 AM  

  • Wow, what an experience - and one I was almost in myself. I'm glad Tamie and Rope survived well enough.

    I was on the road south and heading for the Arrowhead Campground at Logan (It's a Passport America campground). However, I got a late start from Canada on March 21, put in a long day on the 22nd and decided I needed the comfort of a travel lodge by the time I reached Sidney, NE. That night I watched the weather channel, heard about the extreme weather in the area I planned to travel, and rearranged my plans. I would hug the mountains, do my trip to eastern Arizona in a reverse route to what I had planned.

    Thankfully I did, since I probably would have been in that tornado. I passed through the area on my way back north two weeks later. The people at the south end of Clovis, NM were repairing rooves and hauling off broken trees. I realized I had been very lucky indeed.

    Kathy in Canada

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 10:43 AM  

  • Pretty scary, could have been worse. In my opinion its not worth risking even going through something like that. Perhaps we should all keep an eye on the weather and its intended path and take the warnings more seriously. If it looks like it could be bad and you have several hours or a half day to get away, just leaving for better ground might be a good idea. We have actually left home and sought out a (recently built, structurally tough)hotel for the night. $65 for a night is cheap insurance. Research tornadoes and mobile homes/campers and you will see they offer absolutely NO safety of any kind, should one hit. Michael S.

    By Blogger Michael S., at 8:38 AM  

  • Pretty scary. Perhaps we should all pay attention to inclement weather and its intended direction. If it looks pretty bad and like your going to get hit, if you have enough time, leave. Safer to get to a better location. We have occasionally sought out a well constructed hotel and paid $65 for the night. Its a lot safer than being in a camper wich offers absolutely NO protection in tornado.

    By Blogger Michael S., at 8:48 AM  

  • Stopped in Oklaoma on way home from texas listening to tv 1st nite heard tornado's in area - left next day for misouri and later heard one dropped within 5 miles - she was very lucky

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6:53 PM  

  • We travel all over North America and we ALWAYS carry our NOAA emergency radio with us. At night we leave it on under the Emergency signal warning...God forbid...should an emergency report come on...we would act upon the info right away.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 5:45 AM  

  • Wow, I'm glad my husband always calls our insurance carrier and switches our coverage to the new vehicle before we leave the lot where we purchased it. At least we would be covered in an unfortunate event such as this. She definitely needs to do this when she purchases a new vehicle. The comment about the NOAA radio is a good one too. We will be purchasing one.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 1:26 PM  

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