Bad Timing + failure to follow instincts Update 2

[bluepinecones]

In anticipation of FL trip, I have Magic hooked up to electric at Ditto Campground - south end of town on banks of TN Tiver. Got ambitious Saturday and took freezer items, several gallons of bottled water, dog food and other odds and ends to start loading her up. At that point our highs were near 80 and forecast called for a big cool down and rain this week but nothing more extreme than about 28 degrees. I left keys with campground manager so he could turn space heater on for me if needed.

Mother nature has thrown in a major curve now. With all the rain yesterday, early last night we went under flash flood warning - that is now a wide spread flood warning. Also under a winter weather advisory past few hours due to freezing rain. Main threat with the icing is to power lines, tree limbs, bridges, etc.

Got call from Ditto manager around 3:30. TVA had just issued order to evacuate Ditto Campground as it is expected to be completely underwater before noon tomorrow (TVA Dams help with flood control but do not stop it). There is no place safe for me to move Magic (Space & Rocket Campground full with several of their sites already not useable due to flooding. With the Winter Weather Advisory Monte Sano state park is discouraging folks due to threat of ice storm on mountain and with heavy tree cover, ice coated limbs might also damage RV roofs if they fall.)

Called Ditto manager back, he will move Magic for me to the back side of Ditto Park up near the highway (about 1/4 mile outside campground so no electric but slightly higher ground and a bit further from the TN River banks). Visibility here is down to only a couple of car lengths and nearing dark so I'm not even going to try to get down there to secure stuff. There is a good chance the road to Ditto will be under water by morning too as another 3 to 5 inches of rain forecast before it ends. About all I can do now is pray she will be okay.

I do think next time I have one of those strong gut feelings like last week which said "go ahead and leave a week early", I'll try to pay more attention and act on it.

News Update: As of 6:30 tonight there are reports of spotty power outages, including parts of Monte Sano Mountain. Many photos of icing on trees and power lines. It looks like it might be a long night. Reporter says temps should stay high enough most of the night (right at freezing) in lower elevations for this not to become a major ice storm across most of the city. Thats good news.

As long as I don't loose power at house, I'm set for whatever.

Sure wish I was in FL!!!!

[BarbaraRose]

So sorry to hear that! Hope Magic is OK where she is at. Will you be able to check on her tomorrow? I suppose it depends on the weather. At least the manager was willing to help you out! Let us know how things go!

[cnq50b]

Oh no!!!! Will be praying right along with you for Magic, you & everyone else in the area. The weather is really out of wack in so many areas - can't be sure of what will happen next. Hope things are better in the morning. Please keep us informed...
Catherine

[Liz]

Praying it will not be as bad as all that, and all will be ok. I wish you were in Florida too. Above all, keep yourself safe. It's all stuff.

[sharon]

Yikes Sarah! Hoping Magic will be ok....

[VickieP]

I sure hope everything is going to be okay, Sarah. Please keep us updated.

[chalet05]

Mother Nature can sure deal it out sometimes! I hope Magic and all will be okay!

[cpatinjones]

Praying all will be okay.

[Bethers]

Ouch ... you keep yourself safe and get started south as soon as you can ... you named Magic that for a reason, so hopefully it'll live up to the name!

[rvgrammy1953]

Praying that Magic is dry and safe....and you keep safe, dry, and warm yourself...

[carolb]

Oh Sarah I jst read this, & it's morning now, so I do hope that everything is okay! Will be waiting to hear...

[Irmi]

Sarah, I'm wishing the very best for you. Hope the campground managers will call you today with an update.

[carold]

I'm keeping all my parts crossed and that Magic lives up to her name. Keep yourself safe, that's the most important. carold

[HorizonSeeker]

Wow Sarah. Can you just load up and start driving south? I'd want to get out of town.

[Paulette]

Sarah, sure hope it all works out! It all happens for a reason...hang in there!