This is exactly what happened to RV Consumer Group's longtime members Virgil and Alice Russell, residents of Louisiana. The Russells purchased a motor home several years ago strictly for vacation use. Little did they know then that the same motor home would save their family's lives. When Katrina loomed on the Louisiana horizon, Virgil and Alice did not waste any time. They gathered whatever they could from their home and, along with Alice's mother, they left the state as quickly as possible. A couple of days later, their home was under 8 feet of water.

Although just about everything in their home is totally ruined, they are nevertheless extremely thankful for their lives, and for being fortunate enough to be able to ride out such catastrophe in relative comfort and familiar surroundings.

We are not advocating that you rush out and buy a motor home or towable to keep in your driveway for one of those "in case of emergency" situations. However, having been in close calls ourselves more than once, we are well aware of the value of owning an RV.

Years ago when JD and I were fulltiming in our old converted bus, we experienced many situations where being an RVer was a definite advantage. It helped us develop a very simple philosophy: "When things don't look right, get out of Dodge".

Whether you full-time in your RV or use it occasionally, there are certain items you should always keep in the drawers and closets.

We would like to share with you some of the comments that Virgil & Alice Russell sent to us:

• In previous evacuations, we did pack our photo albums to take with us. Unfortunately, this time we were rushing to beat the evacuation grid lock and left them home. Alice did pack most of her jewelry.

• We had a 24-hour head-start on most evacuees as I always keep the motor home gassed up and ready to go during hurricane season. I evacuated once in a car because the motor home was in the shop for servicing. Now I never take it to the shop during hurricane season unless it is absolutely necessary.

• Yes, we were well stocked up on food. We stuffed the freezer and fridge full of perishables. Alice can stuff more food into a small space than you can imagine.

• We are very happy with this motor home, a 1999 Sea Breeze LX 1330. However, we now have 75,000 miles on it and were already looking for a new one. (Editor's note: At the time the Russell's purchased their Sea Breeze, it was rated as a 5-star in highway control - the first motor home receiving such rating.) The major change is that we want to have a slideout in the living/dining area so we have a bit more space. We want to be able to do things like push-ups and some exercises inside when it is too hot/cold/wet outside. Other than space, we are very happy with the layout of our Sea Breeze. A larger fridge would be helpful but not essential. We were already set up for dry camping with 4 golf cart batteries and a 2000 watt inverter. We had planned to get a couple of solar panels but never got around to it.

• We left New Orleans and went to a campground between Jackson and Vicksburg, MS. Planned to wait it out there. Next morning the radio said to expect 100 mph winds there, so we moved on west to the first available campsite far enough west. That was on the Texas border. Spent 2 nights there, but it was a muddy, smelly campground. We called ahead and found a very nice campground near Kilogre that we had stayed at once before. They had space so we moved there.

• There was wi-fi and a phone hookup at the campsite. This was a lifesaver as our cell phones would not receive calls, only outgoing calls to non New Orleans area codes. The Internet was the only way we were able to keep in touch with family and friends who were scattered everywhere. We then went to our niece's home in San Antonio and the Shriners gave us a campsite with electricity. Just as we were getting ready to go back to New Orleans, along came Rita. We finally got back by retracing our circuitous route to the North.

• Absolutely the motor home was the way to evacuate. Much easier to find someplace to camp than to find a room!

The Russells also sent this update on the salvaging work they went through:

• We have been working for 2 weeks salvaging things from our house and gutting it. We had water to the ceiling of the first floor and, unfortunately, the second floor was rented out so none of our stuff was up there. It was totally untouched. Downstairs was a total disaster. About the only things salvageable were china, silverware and crystal. We had a crew of friends and relatives from all over the country helping us, some days there were 12 people helping and we are still not done.

• There was mold everywhere, the stench was awful as the water was full of sewage. There was mud and slime and who knows what on the floor. Actually, we had to chop down doors because furniture and fridges had floated and blocked halls and doorways. We had to chain saw some sofas to get them out. Our Yukon XL SUV had two fridges that landed on top of it and we had to hook a chain on it and drag it out. The rotting food and fish bait in the freezers was horrible. My 24-foot boat was in a shed where the eye crossed and nothing is left, even of the town.

Virgil and Alice visiting us on Washington's Olympic Peninsula
during happier times.

After reading the Russell's saga, it's difficult to imagine not having an RV for a quick escape to safer grounds.

Connie Gallant & RVCG Staff

POSTSCRIPT:  We are pleased to say that as of December 2007, the Russells are back in their refurbished home, and plan on taking a trip with their new motorhome very soon.