Bad storms and how the OB performed

[rick902]

I was in the mtns of VA last night (on the Tye River fishing for trout) near Montebello. Caught 3 small quasi wild rainbows on tenkara gear. Sitting by the side of this very pretty river just enjoying the peacefulness. In a matter of 2-3 minutes the temperature dropped dramatically and the wind went from a whisper to a roar. A tree right next to us - about 6 inches in diameter was blown over and the overhead canopy was getting dangerous. By the time we realized we best be getting - and in the next 30 seconds, it turned to a solid roar and the sky was looking dangerous. We packed into the car and took off heading down the mountain with leaves and small limbs starting to fall all around. I pulled over about a mile down the road to take inventory and a car heading towards us from the east told us it was very windy from where he came from. We told him the same. Off we went.

It was like someone took a weed wacker to 100ft oaks, cedars, pines, maples, poplars...trees falling everywhere. Every road was blocked and when we backtracked, we'd find a tree that had fallen in the 3-5 minutes that had passed since we were there last. On many occasions I had to go off road, up and over berms and around all these fallen trees. Once, I got out of the car to see if I had enough room to get between a tree and a fall off, and about 30 feet from the car the wind picked up to a roar (they clocked 91 mph winds) and the entire canopy started creaking and snapping. I ran back to the car and set a personal best - truth is, it was very unnerving...and scary. Powerlines down, large trees hanging in powerlines...no power anywhere on a very dark night. While my fishing partner was clearing a fallen limb from the road, another limb got blown into the car.

At the very beginning, right after we left the river, it was a keen adventure being out in this awesome weather...and awesome is the right word. But we were stuck driving in what was essentially hurricane force winds for 2.5 solid hours. It was unbelievable in that it just kept going on. It became un-fun at about the end of the first hour. This storm has a description...a derecho.

Oh, but the OB did great. I felt secure knowing that I could go up, around, down and over just about anything that was within reason. On more than one occasion the awd system did the grindy noise to keep traction as I had to maneuver around and over the side of the road. Very capable. All other cars and drivers were being equally responsible and I didn't see one accident - which is amazing.

[airgas1998]

Originally Posted by rick902

I was in the mtns of VA last night (on the Tye River fishing for trout) near Montebello. Caught 3 small quasi wild rainbows on tenkara gear. Sitting by the side of this very pretty river just enjoying the peacefulness. In a matter of 2-3 minutes the temperature dropped dramatically and the wind went from a whisper to a roar. A tree right next to us - about 6 inches in diameter was blown over and the overhead canopy was getting dangerous. By the time we realized we best be getting - and in the next 30 seconds, it turned to a solid roar and the sky was looking dangerous. We packed into the car and took off heading down the mountain with leaves and small limbs starting to fall all around. I pulled over about a mile down the road to take inventory and a car heading towards us from the east told us it was very windy from where he came from. We told him the same. Off we went.

It was like someone took a weed wacker to 100ft oaks, cedars, pines, maples, poplars...trees falling everywhere. Every road was blocked and when we backtracked, we'd find a tree that had fallen in the 3-5 minutes that had passed since we were there last. On many occasions I had to go off road, up and over berms and around all these fallen trees. Once, I got out of the car to see if I had enough room to get between a tree and a fall off, and about 30 feet from the car the wind picked up to a roar (they clocked 91 mph winds) and the entire canopy started creaking and snapping. I ran back to the car and set a personal best - truth is, it was very unnerving...and scary. Powerlines down, large trees hanging in powerlines...no power anywhere on a very dark night. While my fishing partner was clearing a fallen limb from the road, another limb got blown into the car.

At the very beginning, right after we left the river, it was a keen adventure being out in this awesome weather...and awesome is the right word. But we were stuck driving in what was essentially hurricane force winds for 2.5 solid hours. It was unbelievable in that it just kept going on. It became un-fun at about the end of the first hour. This storm has a description...a derecho.

Oh, but the OB did great. I felt secure knowing that I could go up, around, down and over just about anything that was within reason. On more than one occasion the awd system did the grindy noise to keep traction as I had to maneuver around and over the side of the road. Very capable. All other cars and drivers were being equally responsible and I didn't see one accident - which is amazing.

that is called straight line winds or a direcho event. we had one last year here 90-100mph winds....lots of damage....