A double disaster
Our hearts go out to the folks at Franklin Coach who lost everything in the tornado that ripped through Nappanee, Ind., late last week. I can only imagine the emptiness that owners Don, Rick and Steve Abel must feel in after investing time, effort and money in the 62-year-old business only to lose it all in the blink of an eye. Employees who also invested sweat equity in building the business must also be devastated after realizing how quickly they were put out of work.
The staff at Gulf Stream also has its hands full cleaning out tons of debris from fallen buildings, smashed products and the remains of the Franklin enterprise blown onto their property from across the street. Because they are located in the heartland of America where people genuinely care about others, I’m confident the Gulf Stream team will rally around the company and get it back on its feet quickly.
In the other end of the country, ultra-fast-spreading wildfires have already destroyed several RV parks and, likely, RV dealerships. The disaster is advancing so quickly that government officials admit they don’t have an accurate count as to how many homes and businesses have been destroyed. At the very least, the thick smoke blanketing the area is rendering the RVs on dealership lots unsalable.
Fueled by 70 mph winds and extremely dry conditions, the impact of this disaster will be unfolding for days to come. Already, 374 square miles of land has been torched. Nothing can stop it. Witnesses on a 10-lane Interstate highway helplessly watched as 100-foot flames raced up the land, lept over the pavement and scurried up a hill to consume 10 homes in less than 10 minutes.
More than 500,000 people have been forced to flee from the area. It’s unfortunate that many of them likely own RVs, but can’t legally park them in their driveways or yards in order to evacuate themselves, their pets and their neighbors when emergencies like this arise.
These sobering incidents remind us all of the absolute necessity to frequently and consistently back up important data — and store it off site. They also remind us that the government is essentially helpless in truly protecting us from disaster. To rely on them before the fact is foolish and dangerous.
The incidents once again give the RV industry another opportunity to step up to the plate and help those affected by natural disasters. If there is anything we, as an industry, can do to help our fellow business owners recover, I’d like to know what it is. I’ll be happy to use this blog and our forum to post their needs in hopes of marshalling resources quickly to the impacted areas.
We’ve proven over and over again that our industry not only helps its own, but it rushes in to help others as well.
October 24th, 2007 at 12:06 pm
Our prayers are with all of those who are experiencing tragedies. In Nov. 2005, we were wiped out by a tornado. It took our business, home, vehicles, everything we owned. At the time, we felt devistated as I’m sure you are all feeling right now. However, I hope to encourage you with the knowledge that God will bless you as you pull things back together. He never closes a window without opening a door.
Though the recovery process is not easy, it is possible. It took us 6 months to get our business back up and running, and our home, vehicles, and belongings replaced. Since the tornado, our business has grown and we have been able to add employees and services.
During the recovery, we were reminded of our strengths and found that no matter what was needed, God provided it. People came from everywhere to assist in the rebuilding and though we were underinsured, we managed to build our shop larger and better.
“Keep the faith” is not just a saying. It’s an important factor in the recovery process of any catastrophe. You can get through this and you will look back on it some day with the feelings of accomplishment.
If you would like to read about our devistation, go to http://www.rvrefrigeration.com/aboutus.asp and click on the tornado at the bottom of the page.
God bless you and if you need someone to talk to who has been there, please feel free to contact me @ fordrv@rvrefrigeration.com or call 270-354-9239
Onna Lee Ford
October 24th, 2007 at 7:07 am
Franklin Coach has been a company that has consistently built quality, almost one-off RV’s. The Abel Family has been quiet giants in the development of the RV Industry since 1945. While never subscribing to the ‘build them in vast lots, and build them cheap’ mentality, the company has excelled in satisfying both RV dealers and RV owners with personalized service, and customized products. I myself always had a pleasureable experience when retailing their coaches. There would be a great void in the future of the RV Industry if Franklin now does not get the support of the Industry that it has served with blood, sweat, and tears. I encourage the Industry Dealers to take another look at the NEW Franklin Coach, after it rebuilds, and enjoy the fruits of a good old fashioned Company. Although the entire company was totally leveled by the tornado, unprecedented in our Industry, all buildings just are gone, the Blessing is that the storm came through after work hours and not one life was lost. Franklin is a true “family”. If this devastation happened during the daytime, surely we would be mourning 100’s of fatalities as noone could have survived anywhere in their complex. We all owe the Abel Family and the dedicated Franklin Employees, an extra measure of support. I can personally tell you that The Abels were always on the giving end when disaster struck any of us, it’s now our turn to give to them. They run a good Company! God Bless them as they work to rebuild.
October 23rd, 2007 at 5:08 pm
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the residents and business owners affected by this horrific series of fires.
With a lot of the fires in the mountains, we can only hope that the dealers and manufacturers have been spared and will be available to assist the victims who have lost everything in this disaster of epic proportions.
October 23rd, 2007 at 4:42 pm
Thank God for RV’s! Here in San Diego County thousands of off-roaders, campers, tailgaters and others with any kind of RV are escaping these deadly fires. You can see them parked at strip malls, WalMarts, Lowe’s, Home Depot’s and our local schools. These families are secure and comfortable, and they can move - if needed.
October 23rd, 2007 at 4:05 pm
To the Abels and their employees:
I would just like to say how very sorry I am about your tragedy. I just can’t imagine the magnitude of the devastation you are all going through. Although we’ve been in the park model manufacturing business for only a few years, to lose everything we’ve worked towards would be heart breaking. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sincerely,
Glenda Adams
Sales Manager
SunLake Living Systems
Sylvester, Ga.