Last week’s “bomb cyclone” weather event that hit the Pacific Northwest has left a lot of RVers with questions. And with a lot of destroyed rigs. About 1,500 people live up to six months out of the year at Lake Connor Park RV Campground near Lake Stevens, Washington. Those who were there when the Pacific Northwest storm hit ran out—and they can’t go back, at least not yet.
Bomb cyclone bombs RVs
Lake Conner RV Park managers say they can’t let residents and RV owners back into the park out of safety concerns. At least 50 RVs were wiped out when struck by falling trees. We say “at least” because of last report, a large portion of the park had yet to be surveyed for damage.
Preliminary reports said at least 200 trees, most of them tall evergreens, had gone down in the storm. Some owners at the private club say they think diseased “hazard” trees were at fault. But one of the park’s forestry team disagrees. Mark Marconi told local media group King5 that the park had already taken down 120 trees in a safety move since April.
Marconi told the media outlet, “We have probably another 100 tagged, but we got to the ones we were most concerned about. In a storm like this, though, you don’t know what’s gonna come down.”
Owners frustrated by lack of access and information
You also can’t foretell “what it’s gonna hit,” and that’s what has campground owners so upset. The most recent official post from campground management appeared on its Facebook page on Friday.
“Just wanted to update everyone this morning, we are still closed due to safety,” reads the announcement. “If you want your site checked please contact the office and we will have someone check for you as soon as we are able. There are still multiple trees blocking access throughout the park.
“Our crew is working hard to get you all access. We do have some members trespassing on private property to jump the fence and gain access to the park, we ask that you do not do this. We are closed for your safety only, we don’t want anyone to get hurt.”
Dozens of RV owners pleaded for help in getting word on their rigs. They posted their site numbers, asking for a response. Whether they’re getting a personal call-back isn’t clear. But other owners are upset about the lack of updates. Yesterday, one posted, “When are calls going to be made?? You don’t need to wait until you’ve gone thru the entire park before starting calls.” Others expressed similar exasperation at the lack of information coming out.
Last week, when King5 ran its story, it reported it would probably be at least Sunday before owners could come to see what’s left of their RVs. It looks like it might be longer still, as the wait goes on.
##RVT1185b
This why you don’t camp under or close to trees.
Really? Like you have a choice? Have you seen the parks in the Northwest? Western Washington is practically all trees.
Or maybe not during a “bomb cyclone” event. Pay attention to the weather forcasts.
This was a crazy storm. My daughter and her husband were without power for over 48 hours in the Black Diamond area. However, in fairness, absolutely no more than a blip on the radar for most of the affected areas, as compared to what they continue to deal with in the Carolinas, Georgia, Tennessee and Florida from the September and October hurricanes. It’s all relative and we remain prayerful for the storm victims, still forgotten and many living in tents with small children and through seasonal snow storms.
Amen Cancel – Amen. Hoping they can get back to some normal living with the least delay.
Thank you, Russ and Tina! Very sad. I am glad that the campground actively monitors their trees and takes down the dangerous ones. That is a non-trivial expense as I presume that the trees must be felled precisely to avoid campsites and utilities. If so, then such experienced and competent tree people are not numerous (i.e., they do not grow on trees 😉 ) and are expensive. As I am weeks behind, I hope to read later the final toll. Happy new year and safe travels! 🙂