Camping family survives storm
The Herb Fields family of Cheney narrowly avoided injury at their campsite in the 10 Mile Campground when an epic thunder and wind storm hit Ferry County around 4 p.m. on July 20. “The trees were leveled,” Herb Fields said. “The winds came out of nowhere and lasted less than a minute.” Fields, his wife, Rena, and sons Herb Jr. and Benson, ran into the Sanpoil River until Benson, 15, was grazed by a falling tree. Then they took refuge in a concrete outhouse as trees tumbled like matchsticks around them, smashing their tent and two vehicles. See the power of the storm and the family's luck in these photos. "My heart goes out to all who were in this storm,” Fields said.
Section:Gallery
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Herb Fields and his family are lucky to have escaped serious injury after their Sanpoil River campsite in the 10 Mile Campground of the Colville National Forest was smothered by blow-down trees on July 20, 2012, in a violent wind storm that ravaged Ferry County and other areas.
Herb Fields
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The tent was squashed under debris while the canopy was still standing -- Herb Fields and his family are lucky to have escaped serious injury after their Sanpoil River campsite in the 10 Mile Campground of the Colville National Forest was smothered by blow-down trees on July 20, 2012, in a violent wind storm that ravaged Ferry County and other areas.
Herb Fields
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This car had to be towed away after the Herb Fields family escaped serious injury in their Sanpoil River campsite in the 10 Mile Campground of the Colville National Forest as it was smothered by blow-down trees on July 20, 2012, in a violent wind storm that ravaged Ferry County and other areas.
Herb Fields
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One of the roads in the campground was smothered in timber -- Herb Fields and his family are lucky to have escaped serious injury after their Sanpoil River campsite in the 10 Mile Campground of the Colville National Forest was smothered by blow-down trees on July 20, 2012, in a violent wind storm that ravaged Ferry County and other areas.
Herb Fields
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After nearly getting clobbered by falling trees, they took refuge in the concrete outhouse -- Herb Fields and his family are lucky to have escaped serious injury after their Sanpoil River campsite in the 10 Mile Campground of the Colville National Forest was smothered by blow-down trees on July 20, 2012, in a violent wind storm that ravaged Ferry County and other areas.
Herb Fields
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Herb Fields Jr. wears his concern on his face as he takes shelter in an outhouse. The Fields family was lucky to have escaped serious injury after their Sanpoil River campsite in the 10 Mile Campground of the Colville National Forest was smothered by blow-down trees on July 20, 2012, in a violent wind storm that ravaged Ferry County and other areas.
Herb Fields
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Benson Fields wraps up after being struck on the back by a falling tree -- The Cheney family is lucky have escaped serious injury after their Sanpoil River campsite in the 10 Mile Campground of the Colville National Forest was smothered by blow-down trees on July 20, 2012, in a violent wind storm that ravaged Ferry County and other areas.
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When the winds subsided and they emerged from their outhouse refuge, this is what they saw on the pathway to the outhouse. Herb Fields and his family are lucky to have escaped serious injury after their Sanpoil River campsite in the 10 Mile Campground of the Colville National Forest was smothered by blow-down trees on July 20, 2012, in a violent wind storm that ravaged Ferry County and other areas.
Herb Fields
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Herb Fields and his family are lucky to have escaped serious injury after their Sanpoil River campsite in the 10 Mile Campground of the Colville National Forest was smothered by blow-down trees on July 20, 2012, in a violent wind storm that ravaged Ferry County and other areas. A tree hangs precariously near the outhouse where the family sought safe shelter.
Herb Fields
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Herb Fields and his family are lucky have escaped serious injury after their Sanpoil River campsite in the 10 Mile Campground of the Colville National Forest was smothered by blow-down trees on July 20, 2012, in a violent wind storm that ravaged Ferry County and other areas. This car had to be towed.
Herb Fields
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Ironically, they had a load of firewood in the pickup before the storm hit. Herb Fields and his family are lucky to have escaped serious injury after their Sanpoil River campsite in the 10 Mile Campground of the Colville National Forest was smothered by blow-down trees on July 20, 2012, in a violent wind storm that ravaged Ferry County and other areas.
Herb Fields