She managed to cross a storm surge-flooded road at least a foot deep, but I am not going to measure to get to a relative’s house to gather sandbags, which is probably foolish of me. The house and the truck are still standing.
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Glad to hear you all made it through safely! I noticed you have the Smittybilt awning; is your rooftop tent from them too? If so, how has it been for you? I’m looking to gear up my Maverick for some camping trips as well.
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Smittybilt Overlander Gen 1 is correct. spent roughly 30 nights in it during the previous two years, and it has held up well thus far. There are a few small stitching errors, but nothing that can’t be readily fixed and ignored.
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I am happy to hear that you performed well. Many others were not as lucky. We merely had some wind and rain because everything that hits us usually comes at an angle and loses much of its energy by the time it reaches Ocala, where I am. didn’t even experience a brief power outage. Here, taking care of the trees surrounding the house is crucial. The most dangerous item here during a storm, in my opinion, is definitely the falling water oaks.
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We were quite lucky, especially when you consider that northern states like Georgia and the Carolinas are less equipped for hurricanes. A couple of years ago, Hurricane Ian struck this neighborhood directly, causing a surge of six feet and resulting in a few fatalities. Many residents experienced significant trauma from that event, and understandably so.
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That’s devastating 
sorry to hear! How did the rest of the neighborhood fare with Helene?
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Almost scot-free Fortunately, the storage sheds had a few inches of water, but none of the houses had any. The following morning, they all appeared to have seen a ghost. It’s also a lower-income neighborhood, in contrast to those who can fly to one of their three other residences and have flooded mansions on the beach. These people have nowhere to go in the event of flooding.
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When do you think you’ll be back out camping with your rig? What sites do you enjoy visiting? I assume you are in the SW Florida area.
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Absolutely, SWFL can be tough for camping during the summer with the heat, humidity, and bugs, so we usually wait for it to cool down. One of my favorite spots is Koreshan State Park, which is right in SWFL. It has a historical area where a cult called the Koreshanites used to live, which is pretty interesting.
I also enjoy Fisheating Creek near Lake Okeechobee and Highland Hammock near Sebring. Both are smaller and quieter than the more popular campgrounds in Florida, but they’re still beautiful and well-maintained.
We tried camping in the Keys at Bahia Honda State Park, and to be honest, it was overrated. The water was way too warm for swimming, and the views didn’t impress me. Plus, the facilities were in pretty rough shape.
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I had to look up the Koreshanites on Google (always on the lookout for a new cult to join), and it turns out they believed celibacy was the secret to immortality, so I guess I’m stuck with the idea of dying someday. 
I’ll have to explore those spots you mentioned. I really need to get out beyond the Ocala National Forest. By the way, if you ever head this way, Hopkins Prairie is a lovely place to check out.