cm11599ps
Long Island
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I've been camping at the beach the last few days. It's not on the beach, it's a campground directly behind the dunes. It's summer, it's been hot and humid, so there's always a risk of thunderstorms. No surprise there.
I was looking at my phone yesterday afternoon and noticed we were under a storm warning until about 8pm. Around 5pm you could start to see some clouds moving in. This particular campground is on a very narrow strip off of long island. It's only a few hundred feet wide and has the ocean on the south side and a bay on the north side. This means you have a great view of weather approaching from the north.
Anyway, at around 5pm I fired up the grill and began putting some stuff away that I didn't want to get wet, especially since I was leaving the next day. By the time my burgers were done the only thing left outside was my grill and poopie trailer. I had dinner and my view on the picnic table was of the approaching storm. I then cleaned up and felt a drop or two and heard a rumble or two. I looked at my phone and saw a nasty cell moving towards us so I took the pup for one last walk. A few more drops while out for a walk, but then we made it back inside the trailer.
From the couch I had a great view of the approaching storm. More thunder. A lot of people were still sitting outside, playing in the road, awnings down, etc. I was safely inside reading a book watching it approach as it got darker and louder outside. People still outside, and now lightning bolts were visible. Still kids riding bikes too.
Eventually the wind and rain picked up and only then did some folks decide go inside. I watched a few people try to put their awnings up during the high winds. Not an easy process and I had absolutely no desire to help them because I had already taken care of my stuff and wasn't about to get soaked. This wasn't a surprise storm because you knew it was coming for at least an hour, even if you didn't have access to the news.
Lightning bolts all around and still folks walking around. I looked at my phone and it was recording lightning strikes less then .2 miles away. Then the rain picked up and that is what really sent everyone inside.
At the height of the storm I heard a chopper coming. It was flying very low over the beach. As it finally came into view I could see bolts striking down all around it. Scary stuff.
About an hour later the rain turned to drizzle. It there was still a bunch of thunder and lightning. Some folks decided it was time to go back outside.
What is wrong with people?
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jimervin
ga
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Joined: 07/20/2004
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They are just ignoring history. Bad things only happen to others. It is like your topic says.
jim
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Klueck
Florida
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I don't know what is wrong with them. It amazes me the number of people who ignore thunder and lightning. I wouldn't have helped them either if they were too stupid to lower the awnings ahead of time.
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phillyg
Front Royal, VA
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Joined: 04/24/2002
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Hey, I thought in our new America that we had a right to expect our neighbor to tell me or help me pull in my awning because I was too stupid to think about it myself. Silly me. 
2002 Keystone Cougar 286, 8,400lbs loaded, pulled with a 2004 F150 Supercrew, 5.4, 3.73 gears. Retired and enjoying life
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rk911
Wheaton IL
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as you wrote...ya just can't fiz stupid. but to not assist those in peril even though they put themselves there is not, IMO, right.
73,
rich, n9dko
www.bananaboatbytes.com
I know a guy who's addicted to brake fulid. He says he can stop anytime.
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2000 Itasca Suncruiser 35U
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cm11599ps
Long Island
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rk911 wrote:as you wrote...ya just can't fiz stupid. but to not assist those in peril even though they put themselves there is not, IMO, right.
When there's thunder and lightning bolts all around then I'm not about to go outside and help you put an awning up. The storm wasn't a surprise and we are on the beach which pretty much means you are about the highest things around. I'm not risking my life for that.
I just took a stroll around hf he park. 4 of the easy up canopies are destroyed. Two sleeping tents completely blew over and two more destroyed. A screen tent was blown on top of their neighbors TT. It even appears that the owner left because there's no one left at that site. I'm sure the people who now have to remove it from their TT are thrilled.
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W4MBG
Williamsburg, VA
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yeah, you shoulda run up and down the beach yelling "the sky is falling, the sky is falling!" that i would pay to see!
1999 Winnebago Minnie, 29', Triton V10, mostly stock. So far...
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amandasgramma
Oregon
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I'm afraid of lightening. I've had people SWEAR to me that lightening will only strike the highest places (like the tree next to you). Yeah, right -- so explain why the kid in our town got hit by lightening while in the school yard, with the building near him and the trees all around the school yard. He was out in the middle....not hiding under a tree. I go into the house. I don't know why people stay out in it, and refuse to acknowledge a storm coming other than they DON'T PAY ATTENTION!!!! Yeah - you can't fix stupid.
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rockhillmanor
On the Road
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Joined: 12/06/2003
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I see this a lot too in CG's. It's almost as if they think that since they are on vacation camping that they are exempt from practicing safe storm procedures. Which sadly is nothing 'further' than the truth.
I assisted an older couple to pack up their RV and get off their CG site on the Mississippi River when tornado warnings came out. They wanted to stay and told them it wasn't the smartest thing to do so they agreed to let me help them move.
We both packed up and moved to the back of the CG away from the old mighty Missisip and the trees. One guy in a Prevost laughed at us and said we were over reacting and stayed. The joke was on him the tree damaged his new coach and when the tornado winds went up and over his coach and on to the river it sent his coach rocking. He said both he and his wife thought they were gonners.
I ALWAYS try and help other RV'ers who might be new at it and really don't realize just how dangerous it can be in CG in an RV during any type of storm. Getting 'inside' before it hits in a CG is IMHO real important. Well water lines attract lightening and we all know how MANY water lines are in a CG!
* This post was
edited 07/16/12 08:20am by rockhillmanor *
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Brent and Gina
Arkansas
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It's a good learning lesson for folks that need to learn it.
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