Bakken Tornado Injures Nine in Watford City, ND - Video
An EF-2 tornado destroyed 15 recreational vehicles at Raley RV Park, an oilfield camp south of Watford City, ND, on Monday, May 26th, 2014, according to officials. Nobody was killed; however, a 15-year old girl was transported to Trinity Hospital in Minot, ND, from injuries sustained during the storm. Eight other victims were treated and released according to the McKenzie County Sherrif's Department.
The CBS news video below includes an eyewitness account of man who lived in Raley RV Park:
Due to the Bakken oil boom, many oilfield workers are utilizing recreational vehicles as temporary housing. Tornadoes, which are notorious for laying waste to mobile home and RV parks, usually strike without warning; however, it's still important for residents of temporary camps to have a plan. Storm shelters offer the best chance for survival during a tornado; however, that option isn't feasible for most folks in the Bakken oil patch. The next best thing to do is scout out a permanent structure within a reasonable distance from your camp. Generally, anything with a concrete foundation is safer than a recreational vehicle during a tornado.