It’s an RV flood survival story that few will ever forget. On September 26, historic floodwaters surged through a Globe, Arizona RV park, rising six feet and sweeping away neighboring vehicles, trapping Chip Gieger and his wife Cheryl inside their RV. “Total catastrophic failure here,” Gieger said, capturing video of the raging water. “We were saying our last prayers at that point, because we were at God’s mercy.”
“Going over!” RV flood survival story full of gut-wrenching moments
The couple, who live and work at the RV park beside the creek, quickly realized escape was impossible. The current was so strong that stepping outside would have been deadly, and they watched in horror as neighboring RVs were carried away. “We watched our next-door neighbor float away,” Gieger recalled. Then their own RV began to tip. “Going over… we were terrified,” he said.
The flood that trapped the Giegers occurred on Friday, September 26, 2025, in a storm officials have called historic for its speed and destruction. Rescue crews struggled to reach residents as the waters moved with incredible force, leaving a trail of devastation across Globe and nearby Miami.
They called 911, but help couldn’t arrive in time. Their salvation came from an unlikely source: a lone tree that stopped the RV from flipping completely. “Without that tree, we would have went over and we’d have been done. We’d have been dead,” Gieger said. After what felt like ten hours of chaos, the couple finally escaped alive. “I believe that there was spiritual intervention that we’re here today,” Gieger said.
Lost everything, but grateful for their lives
Though they survived, the couple lost nearly everything. Chip Gieger and his wife were trapped inside their RV as historic floodwaters surged through the park, rose six feet, and swept away neighboring vehicles. The flood’s impact extended far beyond the RV park, claiming three lives, leaving one person missing, and causing widespread property damage. Cleanup is ongoing, complicated by debris and regulatory restrictions.
In the aftermath, the couple is focused on rebuilding. They’ve set up a GoFundMe account to help with repairs and temporary housing, and they are grateful to be alive. “We just have to start putting the pieces back together,” Gieger said. Their story stands as a powerful RV flood survival story and a testament to hope and resilience in the face of disaster.
Sources include 12 News
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RVT1229b
They must feel blessed to still be alive after what they had to go through..
Stunning story.
Incredible! Looking at that mud inside their MH…. can’t even imagine it – especially the clean-up and hidden damage under the floors and walls. Vehicle appears to be up against the slide also. Glad they were able to survive and able to tell the story…. and the lessons.
Just a WAG, but Chip & Cheryl’s insurance covered storm damage, but not flood damage?
I don’t understand the GoFundMe. Wouldn’t their RV insurance cover their losses?
Under insurances?
with our record inflation you won’t have enough to replace lost property. And day to day expenses
That is an interesting question Vince. Hadn’t really tho’t about flood insurance on my MH. Required for a house in a flood area – if you have a gov’t insured mortgage. An Rv?
Thank you for the story, Russ and Tina! What a frightening and, yet, heart-warming story. Very glad that they survived, but saddened that their insurance company apparently is not supporting their recovery effort. Safe travels!