Tellico plains tornado

[ddlewis]

http://www.wate.com/story/17064554/strong-storms-do-damage-in-east-tennessee

[rktmanfj]

http://www.knoxnews.com/photos/galleries/2012/mar/02/tornado-damage-tellico-plains-after-fridays-storms/43078/#section_header

[CodyNKR]

Hey ya'll!
I just got an email from Lori Hunt (well Jeff did) from Tellico that the tornadoes/bad weather that went thru that area last night demolished the KOA. Their building is a pile of rubble. I'll have to find an copy the email or maybe Jeff can post it here.
NancyK

[CodyNKR]

Here's what Lori Hunt wrote....

"Hello everyone,
Checking in from exciting Tellico Plains, TN!  Yes, the rumors are true
- Tellico did get hit by a tornado this afternoon.  The booger managed
to get within a 1/4 mile of both the campground and our house, but
missed both, thank heavens!  The power is out at our house and probably
will be for a couple of days or so.  Power was out at the campground for
a few hours, but restored early this evening.  So, we have power,
internet, and hot showers.  What more can you honestly ask for?
The extent of damage to Tellico is unknown at this point.  Rumors
abound, but some of them have already been proven false.  I can tell you
what I've seen personally, though.  The KOA is flat out GONE.  Just a
pile of rubble where their office used to be.  Everything else the used
to be KOA is scattered up Hwy 360.  Power lines are out up the Skyway
from about halfway between the Exxon station and Hwy 360 to some point
on the other side of 360.  I didn't go up the river, so have no idea how
far the damage goes.  Going up 360 from the Skyway, there are a lot of
trees down, treetops twisted off, and power lines down, up until about
1/4 mile from our house.  Then it either veers across country behind our
house, or bounced entirely off the ground.
There is a lot of wind damage on Hwy 68 about a half mile north of the
campground.  A tree is down across one of Lodge At Tellico's buildings,
looks like at least on half of the building is not usable until it is
repaired, possibly the whole building.  The path of destruction goes
down Scott Street - the road just on the other side of the hayfield that
borders us on the north, going into town.
We have some clean-up to do, but nothing major.  We're looking at a
night of rain ahead and some strong cells are still floating around, but
they seem to be breaking apart and going to the north or south of us.
I'll try to get some pictures tomorrow and post them somewhere that
everyone can see them."

[ddlewis]

I've seen several mentions of "severe damage at KOA" but no pics.  Have seen lots of images of places I do recognize.  Sounds like no bad injuries at least.

Here's a youtube starting from the Hardees parking lot.  You can actually see the tornado.  looks like this may be in or near the KOA.
Tornado in tellico plains, TN

[mst3kguy]

in a related story, numerous people reported structural damage due to hail-sized potatoes...

[mst3kguy]

seriously, that really sucks.  i hope the folks are okay up there.  we may need to consider alternative locations for the fall rally...

[rktmanfj]

in a related story, numerous people reported structural damage due to hail-sized potatoes...

seriously, that really sucks.  i hope the folks are okay up there.  we may need to consider alternative locations for the fall rally...

+1

Sounds like Hunt's fared better...  Sweetwater KOA isn't too far away, but IIRC, they don't have as many kabins.

[ribbert]

in a related story, numerous people reported structural damage due to hail-sized potatoes...

Hail-sized potatoes?

[rktmanfj]

in a related story, numerous people reported structural damage due to hail-sized potatoes...

Hail-sized potatoes?

Inside joke...  the tornado appears to have first crossed the cornfield across the river from the KOA.

It's been the landing zone for dozens of potato cannon shots.    

[racerman_27410]

they plant corn there but its really a potato field 


KOokaloo!

[BSI]

Fri afternoon I called a business associate who happens to live in Tellico Plains and asked "hey Bob, how're doing?"...he calmly said "well, I'm watching this tornado two streets over"...he later confirmed his office was OK but reading this reminded me he lives close to KOA so I'll inquire what he's seen...I know nearby Etowah was hit hard...tornados 2 different times this week, man we've had our fill and the season has just now started

[ddlewis]

Tornado damage on Ballplay road--KOA campground demolished

Last 20 sec shows what appear to be remains of the office/bath house.  It's gonna be a do over.

[1tinindian]

This must be the main building at the KOA?
F-ing SUX!

From last years ECFR, my first time at a rally.

[ddlewis]

Those yellow posts in the top pic are straight across the driveway from the curb where the bottom pic was taken.  Also I think I can still see two of the flag poles.

What a mess.  Hope they have good insurance.