Hail No! Del Yeah! Tell us your storm stories...

[DelFest]

Were you blown away by DelFest? Tell us your stories and how you survived the Del-uge of 2009

[Kathy R]

check the radar that Jimmy (not cumberland) posted. Our DelFest storm popped up out of nowhere with no warning..I know that the radar was being watched by the crew and the storm was on us like a flash there was no time to warn...the crew's radios were buzzing as the rain and wind pounded us....if you stuck around for Sunday they made announcements at the very slightest possiblity of big storms causing everyone to button up and batten down only to have it be a spring shower...better safe than sorry yes but it caused the campground stage to close after only 1 performance.....given the circumstances the crew, paid and volunteer did an excellent job getting the stage equipment dry and getting Leftover Salmon up Saturday night and ultimately saving Delfest for all the performances on Sunday on the Main Stage.....Hail No Del Yeah!!!!

[Gumbrinus]

Jimmy posted the radar about the same time I was posting my thoughts (thx, man -- I was looking far and wide for some archived radar). In all fairness to the fest, the radar shows that this was indeed a freak storm based on the way it appears to developed. Had I seen that before I posted, I'd have held my tongue. I appreciated the fact that the fest folks were extra cautious on Sunday -- this proved the lesson was learned.

[Jan Bussler]

I was really pleased to hear this, that it was a freak storm,,,,,and that there weren't delays in trying to warn people. This makes me feel better......

[Chris]

I've seen several responses on here about why there was no warning provided. Several folks have come to the festival's defense that there was no warning because this was completely unexpected, and I'd like to verify that this was true. The festival staff nor the fire department had any indication that this was going to happen. There was no sign of any storm on the radar, and everyone thought this was going to be a short afternoon rain shower. The Weather Channel folks could have been stationed on site and they'd have missed this one. This was a freak storm that popped up right over the fairgrounds and was so low the radar couldn't detect it and it could not make it over the mountain. You will notice that the music was shut down on Sunday when there was a storm approaching and everyone was given notice over the intercom system.

[Tamara Boreman]

I lived through alot of hurricanes, but never been outside and exposed to such horrible crazy weather. I had a fabulous umbrella that the Art Bus decorated. I think that their decor may have saved my life!!! We initally go stuck at the skirt vendor booth, then as the water was rising around my ankles, I freaked out and thought I was going to drown. I made a run for it and made it to the ATM Vestible on the field. We shared a few songs, someone had a cooler of beer that he shared after a little prodding with, "We're going to die!! Give me a beer!!" All in all great, caring people. What a fun, chill festival. This was my first Delfest and will I go again, 'Del yeah!' as it is said. However, this time, I'm taking a poncho and some plastic boots!

Thank you!

[Kathy R]

I think we all will have ponchos and "wellies" next year it will be the fashionable thing to wear....See you next year!!! Del Yeah!!!! Peace and Love!!!!!

[WindBlownLeaf]

The weather is something uncontrollable...it is unfortunate that so much of the Fest (music, vendor tents/merchandise, camper's tents and belongings) was lost due to an unforeseen, sudden, and terrible storm. Luckily there were no serious injuries (unless I've missed something)...here's to next year and hoping that Mother Nature is as kind as she was in 2008!

[WindBlownLeaf]

In regard to the storm, the worst part really, was that my 9 and 4 year-old daughters were with my wife and me. Had it been just us two adults it would have been a little easier. As a father who wants to protect his children and yet let them experience life, I was caught between two thoughts, one being, “How can I get my family to safety, when there doesn’t appear to be an easy way to get there?” and “Isn’t this storm cool?” The fact that we were under the yellow WFRB tent with others helped, but turning my back to the elements and huddling my family towards the middle of the tent just didn’t seem like enough. Luckily it was and aside from a few moments where there were looks of uncertainty and concern, my daughters made it through. Around 10pm Saturday my 9 year-old and I returned to see what was going on, we were lucky enough to catch Del and the boys in the Music Hall with Sam Bush (who is really who my daughter wanted to see anyway) so life was good--soggy and muddy, but good. Still looking forward to next year.

[Mark Hynson]

Back at the van I had just guzzled 3 cold ones then quickly grabbed a sausage and a hairy eyeball before rejoining my wife in the field down in front of the main stage. Anticipating a perfect evening after a sunny summerlike day of great music. I was primed for Sam Bush, OCMS, Del and Leftover Salmon! With a nice buzz going and half a cup full of the vendors best brew all was right with the world! My decision to return to Delfest was indeed a good one.As Sam started to get things crankin, I felt a refreshing drop of rain. Then seemingly falling in slow motion a very large drop landed in my cup displacing what was left of my hairy eyeball. Pretty cool I thought it hit dead center.A few minutes later the rain began. Like many around me I was prepared with rain gear. A quick storm to cool off how long could it last? My wife, Martha being the wise scout leader that she is immediately headed to the grandstand as did many of the crowd. This left the unwise but adventourous music lovers to ride it out. Big Mistake! Heavy rain soaked us all and a once grassy field became a swamp.Then a heavy barrage of pea sized hail pelted us unmercifully as winds picked up and lightening struck.At this point there was a lot of scrambling.The band members on stage tried to cover and hold down equipment. I stood mesmerized. in denial that the perfect evening and lineup of bands would all be lost If I should run for cover. So I stayed put like the young bucks now mud diving in front of the stage. I looked back to the sound board tent only to see a few huddled under plastic or chairs to protect themselves from the hail. Then it stopped. The real storm was soon to begin! More hail. Larger this time and more intense. Creating welts and actually breaking the skin on my exposed legs! This time I had to go but where? I used a day pack to protect my head. I looked out again and everyone was gone.The stage empty the vip tent full of people previously all gone. With water rising and no let up from the hail I staggered towards the edge of the field. Boom! a large bolt of lightening. After a quick hail Mary I waded through the river of mud and water that once was the racetrack.Upon reaching the grandstand I witnessed a shocked group of people. No panic, concern and consideration for each other. Reuniting with my wife, we called my brother John and his wife Kirsten. Low and behold they were in the covered workshop building the whole time and did not even get wet! Regrouping with dry clothes from the van we reassembled inside with our fellow Delfest survivors. Rejoice we did with blistering hot Old Crow Medicine Show set followed by Del`s awesome history of bluegrass set. By now the crew had made repairs so back out to the mud and cool evening air for Leftover Salmon. It doesn`t get much better than that. What a day! Great job everyone.Thanks Del. See you next year. Hail no Del Yea!

[robert ogden]

Hello all,
Wow!!! What a weekend. I would like to send a huge THANK YOU out to the small group of people that helped save my vending booth. I had it anchored well but without you folks hanging on I think it would have been gone and what a huge mess I would have had on my hands. I still can't believe it withstood that storm??? I also can't believe I had no damage at all, not even a bent pole or torn canopy. What a shock to walk out and see every booth around me wiped out. I feel terible for all of you who suffered huge losses.
I was at Falcon Ridge last year and thought that was a huge stom but no comparison to the one at Del Fest. The one at Falcon Ridge was in and out like most heavy storms. I thought this one would also be quick, wow was I wrong!!! With two of those storms under my belt in less than a year I sure hope I've had my share for a while.
I know for a fact this thing came out of no where, I had just checked the weather on my friends laptop 20 minutes before it hit. The only storm it was showing were thundershowers starting at 10 pm.

Maybe next year we can all get together and have a story and a laugh.

Thanks again,
Bob Ogden

[Krista Morris]

glad you didn't lose anything! the storm was terrible. hope to see you next year!

[Jimmy (Not Cumberland) :)]

Sounds like a plan to me Bob. Cheers!!