DVD: Working On The RV Road Learn how to earn income while RVing. Author and work camping expert Jaimie Hall reveals what you need to know to gain employment or run your own business while traveling with a recreational vehicle.
Park County, Colorado -- In a bit of 'reverse thinking' a family of three took shelter in their motorhome when a tornado blew through the campground they were visiting a week ago Saturday. They narrowly escaped with their lives when a funnel cloud formed--and quickly turned into a tornado.
Photo: 7 news
According to KRDO.com, Theresa Tuggle, her husband, and daughter were camping at an area reservoir when the twister headed their way. Instead of taking more conventional shelter--say in a low-lying ditch, the family piled into their motorhome and hit the deck. "My husband yelled get down and hang on," recalled Theresa Tuggle.
Like a dog with a bone, the twister shook and tossed the motorhome, blasting all its windows out. After picking up the RV and tossing it back down, the twister moved on. Apparently the fuel tank suffered from the treatment, as the family quickly smelled the odor of gasoline. When they tried to escape the motorhome, their exit was blocked: The door was jammed. The father was able to kick the door open, and the family made it outside into the clear.
Both father and daughter were bruised and shaken, while Mrs. Tuggle suffered a broken nose in the fray.
Perhaps the Tuggles weren't familiar with how to deal with tornados, as twisters are considered a "flat country" event. In this case, the area of Colorado involved is definitely mountain country. To have a twister pop-up here is a truly unusual event. But it makes the point: Strange things can happen anywhere, and it's best to be mentally prepared if nothing else. Authorities generally recommend NOT taking shelter in any vehicle in case of a tornado. A storm shelter or concrete block walled building is advisable, and lacking that, taking shelter in a ditch or low lying depression is said to be a much safer alternative than an in an RV.
