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AWCHIEF · 03-18-2018, 10:49 AM

Apparently Top of Georgia took a direct hit from either a micro burst or tornado last night. Extensive damage to utilities, pump house and club house. No reports of injuries at this time. Some photos were posted on Facebook. Hopefully someone with direct knowledge can post updates as they become available. Sorry but that is all I know.

SteveSueMac · 03-18-2018, 11:37 AM

Sorry to hear. Hope everyone is ok!

overlander63 · 03-18-2018, 12:46 PM

The park has asked the club to announce the park is closed due to tornado damage. They had been planning a "work weekend" in a couple of weeks, it looks like the work will be repairing storm damage, rather than the maintenance that was planned.

xrvr · 03-18-2018, 04:15 PM

Good people there. Hope all is well!

kendrick.l.j · 03-18-2018, 06:10 PM

Really hate to hear. Wonderful place to visit. Repairs are rarely cheap so if someone wanted to donate to help with expenses where or to whom should that be sent?

SCOTTinNJ · 03-18-2018, 07:02 PM

So sad. We have (and to make more) good memories at TOG.

SilverCabin · 03-19-2018, 10:47 AM

There were no injuries, but they are closed indefinitely for repairs.

Lljones07 · 03-19-2018, 02:40 PM

We weathered that storm in our 2017 Classic 30. Had just checked in that day. This one came with no warning. It was very frightening. The storm only lasted a few minutes, but the damage was unbelievable. Almost every structure in the park is badly damaged. Trees down all over the place. Amazingly, no vehicles or trailers sustained major damage, with a few exceptions. More importantly, no one was hurt. We were very fortunate. My husband and another camper spent the day with chainsaws, clearing the park roads, and everyone helped with clean-up. Electricity was restored to part of the park by evening, so we stayed one more night, but with more severe weather predicted, head for safer ground. We hope to get back to that beautiful park someday. Anyone know the safest spot in an Airstream in such a disaster? Fleeing was not an option. Some pics attached.

SilverCabin · 03-19-2018, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lljones07

Anyone know the safest spot in an Airstream in such a disaster? Fleeing was not an option.

I don't think there is one.

I think I would sit on the floor near the refrigerator. That way if something fell on the Airstream the refrigerator would help hold up the roof. Or, perhaps lie on the floor next to the bed. The bed would hold up anything that fell.

Randy

rmkrum · 03-19-2018, 03:12 PM

From my personal, and other's experience in Huntsville, Alabama:

There is NO safe place in a vehicle in a tornado or microburst.

Either an strong interior room in a very sturdy building, a sturdy basement corner, or if all else fails, a low spot in a ditch or culvert.

We had a fellow Ham radio operator take shelter in a muddy ditch after bailing out of his vehicle moments before an F-3 tornado plowed through where he was.

He was cold, wet and muddy, but very much alive and unhurt after the tornado hit and destroyed his truck. The truck was basically rolled into a ball, and either smashed or was just scattered parts. The cab area was crushed flat.

Lesson learned...I always kept an "escape ditch" in sight down south in real bad weather. When you hear the 'freight train' sound bearing down on you, it's probably too late. At that point, prayer is all you have left, and a bit of luck...

Lily&Me · 03-19-2018, 03:48 PM

THe thing about tornadoes, they can come down out of severe thunderstorms, rip around a bit, then return.

The weather services usually give those kinds of warnings, that circumstances are ripe for tornadoes, and the only thing to do is leave your rig if this system is heading your way.

There is no safe place inside your rig, and it’s not just about something falling on it...a tornado can and will toss a trailer around like it is a toothpick, and people die.

Lily and I tromped through 4-5 inches of standing water and sat one out in a bathhouse a year or so ago.

Maggie

overlander63 · 03-19-2018, 04:38 PM

If you end up in a situation where it's already too late to seek shelter, about all you can do is lay on the floor next to the bed or fridge, and pile all the blankets and pillows you can find on top of you. There are some places a weather radio can't pick up a signal, and your first warning may be the "freight train" overhead.

AWCHIEF · 03-19-2018, 06:42 PM

An word on how Helen made out?

Baby Zeppelin · 03-19-2018, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AWCHIEF

An word on how Helen made out?

No word of any damage here: http://accesswdun.com/article/2018/3...o-touched-down

Apparently the Top of Georgia AS Park got the brunt of the damage.

Jim & Susan · 03-19-2018, 06:57 PM

I'm guessing not much damage to the town itself. Likely we would have heard about it in the Atlanta media. They love murder, mayhem and natural disasters.

Just a word of caution, severe weather is predicted for that area tonight. Not trying to scare anybody, just beware.

Be safe.

Jim

djarrett · 03-19-2018, 07:15 PM

Didn't they have a tornado touch down there last year during the Spring?

D

KAYAKAMPERS · 03-19-2018, 07:16 PM

I drove by the Top just hours after the Tornado coming South from Hiawassee. It was amazingly confined to the Top of Georgia land and across the highway. I saw no damage before or after. I didn't drive through Helen, but I believe they were spared.