The Florida RV park hit by a tornado last week is working toward recovery. As we reported last week, Florida Caverns RV Park in Marianna was hit by a nasty tornado on Tuesday, January 9, that essentially wiped out the resort.
Winds as high as 135 mph
The weather service now confirms that an EF2 tornado was responsible for the huge amount of damage and destruction. A tornado of this classification suggests winds of 111 to 135 miles per hour.
The park’s manager, Chuck McIntosh, lived in an RV on the grounds when the big twister slammed the park. He told local media that he was in his rig when the winds blasted in. “We decided we were going to take shelter, we were headed up to the convenience store,” McIntosh recalls. “Coming out of my RV and I just felt getting really light.” They managed to make it into the building.
Your fellow readers may be involved in recovery efforts
But now, it’s a matter of trying to get the park up and running. Volunteers from Marco Patriots, a volunteer Florida organization, have come some 500 miles to help out. The group provides comfort in the form of food service to victims of disasters. They’ve set up tents and cooking equipment, and are providing Florida Caverns RV Park residents hot meals and a place to tell their stories.
We’re also happy to report that RVtravel.com readers are also concerned—and some may be taking action. Reader Pat Brown wrote in a comment that the RV rally group he’s a part of had a rally scheduled for mid-February—right at the Florida RV park hit by the tornado.
“If they can accommodate us by then,” writes Pat, “we’ll fill our agenda with repair and cleanup help, either at the RV Park or in the community.” He mentions that his group provided similar relief work in the past. Where and when? “In Panama City Beach, six weeks after Michael hit there October 10, 2018.”
Will the Marianna RV park be able to accommodate Pat’s group? The park’s manager says he plans to have Florida Caverns up and running just as soon as power and water is restored.
##RVT1140b
Bless those who are ready, willing, and able to help out in times of need 🙏👍
Do you realize that the way the tornado caption is worded that it seems that a tornado getting back on its feet hit an RV Park?
If this is an example of AI grammer, we’re in for a lot of laughs! LOL!
Nope, that was good old-fashioned human error/oversight. Sorry, Jeri. I’ll try to do better. (I usually do.) I did change it a tiny bit, which makes it more clear. Take care. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
A better wording could have been:
Hit by a tornado last week, and RV park is getting back on its feet.
Thank you, Jeri. I agree 100%. (Yep, trying to picture a tornado with feet.🤔) Normally I catch stuff like that when I’m proofing, but must have been in too big of a rush. Have a good night. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Thank you, Russ and Tina! 🙂 Just seems wrong for an area susceptible to hurricanes to have a tornado come through. 🙁 Is very cool if an RV group is among those helping with the clean-up. 🙂 Safe travels! 🙂