Crystal River dips to 25 degrees early Friday

CRYSTAL RIVER, Fla. — While many who live in Crystal River’s luxury RV communities are in the Bay area seasonally to escape the cold winter months up north, the frigid air followed them to Florida’s nature coast early Friday morning.

According to our Spectrum Bay News 9 weather experts, the low in Crystal River hit 25 degrees early Friday morning.

Sweet Citrus Acres RV Resort in Crystal River is just over two years old and quickly gaining popularity.

The community is full of activities, amenities, and has a large heated pool and clubhouse on site. The area attracts RV owners from many northern states to come spend the winter months in Crystal River.

Knowing below-freezing temperatures were headed this way, Bret Beebe says he had a plan to prepare for this cold snap. From northern Minnesota, he says he’s endured many cold nights and protecting his RV and all the associated equipment is important.

Bfoileebe says he made sure to unhook the pressure washer regulator, drain the hoses, and add filtration and softener before turning on all the tank heaters. He also made sure his fresh water tank was full.

“Around 32 degrees or below you start worrying because pressure regulators will freeze,” he said. “There’s no if, ands, and butts about that.”

In Mike Puhac’s RV, he makes sure to cover his windows in thick foil to provide more insulation to keep the heat in.

“We mark each one, we slide them in place behind the shades, and it gives a little insulation when it comes to cold or hot,” he explained.

The foils are inexpensive, and he says he bought this latest batch on Amazon, providing an easy fix to hold in more heat. Puhac says he started prepping for the cold snap two days ago by making sure their water tanks were full. They also have a generator if they lose power.

“We’ve been through the hurricanes we’ve been through the snow, we’ve been through the frost,” he said. “We’ve had this up north it’s fantastic. We don’t worry about it, we just prepare for it.”

Spectrum Bay News 9 weather experts say the next time it could drop into the 20s in Crystal River is early Monday morning.

Photojournalist Matt Infante contributed to this report.