Microburst

Sunday afternoon ten days ago we had a little excitement here.

Our friends had left an hour earlier. At about 3 PM we were watching Dish TV (no local weather there) when the wind suddenly picked up. It was an amazingly rapid change. One moment the wind was calm and the next thing we knew the fifth wheel was rocking. Luckily John reacted quickly enough to put the awning in or I'm sure it would have been torn off.

We weren't as fortunate with our shade tent.

Sitting inside we saw the tent lift off for other parts.

The trailer shown behind us and across the road had a tree fall, blocking their door and breaking a glass top patio table. Their golf cart was narrowly missed.

The trailer on the left in the rear of the photo had its awning attached to 2 upright poles. That's a popular way to brace the awning and make a larger shaded area. The owner and her son ran out and held on to the support ropes, saving the awning.

When I bought the tent last August I didn't think it was really sturdy despite the fact it was "commercial grade". I figured we'd be satisfied if it lasted out the Autumn.

In this picture you can see the frame was actually torn in two. Looking at the flimsy bamboo torch you might notice that the silly little cap on top is still there.

A camp site down the road had a tent that wasn't damaged at all, and another neighbor had to track their patio umbrella down 200 yards away.

The marina just across the cove had serious damage when 3 of the 4 cables anchoring it in place were torn apart.

The whole "storm" lasted just a few minutes and we had no problems with the trailer.

I already have a new shade tent I like way better than the old one. 

The worst issue was the feral cat. Winston was extremely freaked out.

It was emotionally exhausting.

We won't be so lax in the future.