In the last two months we have experienced tornado watches and warnings in three different states …and even had an actual tornado touch down just a few miles from us! As new RVers, we had not thought too hard about a plan for bad weather during our travels—other than to avoid it as much as possible. Sometimes, though, you find yourself in a location with danger approaching quickly. What should you do? I hate to admit that the first two times we were under a tornado warning we stayed in our RV. Luckily, we did not suffer any direct hit or damage! Since then, I have tried to educate myself on tornado preparedness so that we can be ready when or if there is a next time (hopefully not!). Here are three key things to remember:
1. Always Be Aware of the Weather
It’s important to know what’s going on with the weather both in your current location and where you plan to travel. Since weather can impact people in an RV more significantly than those in a brick and mortar house, keeping tabs on it needs to have a high priority on a day to day basis. Obviously, if you can avoid bad weather it is much easier to just go somewhere else. Sometimes, though, you don’t have enough warning to get out of the danger area and you must be able to react in a very short time.
Know where you are, including state, city, and county. Many weather reports are issued by county, so it is good to have situational awareness. Having multiple ways to be notified about severe weather will make sure you get the notifications you need in a timely manner.
Have a NOAA Weather Radio available , if possible. National Weather Radio (NWR) is a nationwide network of radio stations that continually broadcast weather information, including warnings, watches, hazards, and forecasts 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
You can also monitor the weather using apps on your cell phone. The NOAA and Weather Bug apps have an alert setting so you can be notified of weather danger. Wind Alert is an app that helps you track weather and specifically high winds. The Weather Channel on TV or via app also provides detailed forecast information.
2. Have a Plan Ahead of Time
Just like all good scouts, “be prepared” should be your motto. The more you can strategize and plan when things are calm, the better you will be able to handle the high stress time of a severe storm situation. You don’t want to be making key decisions or trying to find your gear while your RV is rocking and tornado sirens are blaring.
When you arrive at a campground, talk to the office or manager and find out if there is a tornado shelter available. If there is no storm shelter, usually there will be a bathhouse or community building that can be used in event of a weather situation. Also inquire about severe weather notification methods—some towns have sirens, or they can tell you which local radio or tv stations to monitor.
Pack a “go bag” with things you will need should you have to evacuate to a storm shelter. A backpack is a good place to put your items for a quick exit. Some things to consider packing are flashlight, spare batteries, weather radio, prescription medicines, water, snacks, vehicle keys, wallet, pet items, and cell phones. If you know a storm is coming, make sure to charge your cell phones and replace batteries in flashlights and radios.
Prepare the RV area before the storm hits. Once you know a storm is heading your way, you should store anything outside that could become a flying object: chairs, grill, toys, tables, etc. Make sure to stow awnings and close window blinds. Turning off propane and disconnecting electrical power are other safeguards to protect the RV. If you have slide rooms on your RV, putting those in can lessen the effect of high winds on the vehicle. You might be a little cramped, but it will be better for the RV.
Let family or friends know your plan. If a storm is approaching, tell someone outside the storm area where you are. Set a time to check in so they will know you are alright or so they can contact authorities on your behalf if they don’t hear from you.
3. Know When to Go
There is a difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning. A tornado watch is the early alert that tornadoes are possible in your area. This is the time to listen to local stations and begin preparing for dangerous weather. A tornado warning means that a tornado is indicated by radar or has been sighted in your area. This is the time to evacuate to a shelter or other safe area. Radio alerts and siren warnings will sound.
Steps to take in an emergency weather situation:
a. Make sure you are dressed for bad weather with rain gear and sturdy shoes.
b. Gather pets, leashes, and carriers.
c. Stay calm and move to designated shelter area with go-bag.
d. Continue to monitor weather reports until the all clear is given.
e. Once the all-clear sounds, watch out for debris and downed power lines.
Severe weather can be scary, and especially so if you are in an RV. Staying alert and being prepared are your best options so you can think clearly, and act quickly should you need to. Your RV does not offer good protection from a tornado and you should find alternate shelter if possible. One upside of using campground shelters during severe weather…you get to meet all your neighbors and their pets!
Wishing all our fellow campers out there safe travels!😊
Something I would much rather not think about, but I guess you have to! 😳
Very important and excellent advice. It can happen so quickly, it’s best to be prepared.
Yes-better safe than sorry!
I grew up in Oklahoma, it’s super scary to be in that situation. Great tips on being prepared for bad weather!
Hi Lisa! I guess you are more familiar with tornadoes being from Oklahoma, but it was a new situation for us. Definitely hope we don’t have too many scares like that! Thanks for following along with us on our journeys:)
Well done on tornado preparedness! My brother had several close calls on his drive through the mid-west getting back to CA. In the panic of seeing one approaching is no time to just start to think about what you should do. After hearing his accounts we always ask at RV Park check-in what their alarm sounds like, where the shelter it located, and visit it after setup… especially if forecasts warrant. We both have several wx apps on our phones that issue alerts for severe wx whether parked or driving.
Hi Bob! Sounds like you guys are doing all the right things. After our close encounter, we are now on board with being prepared and watching the weather more closely! I’m glad your brother is ok too.
Thank you for this timely and informative post! Tornadoes are scary no matter what you are living in. But in an RV they are terrifying. Your advice is so welcome, especially at this time of year when you hear about one after another.
Hi Sandy! It does seem like this year has been crazy with all the bad weather, doesn’t it? I am hopeful that we will find clearer skies and nicer weather in our coming trips–I’ve had enough of rain, cold, and tornadoes for a long time! Hope your travels are going well–thanks for following along with us:)
This is very good advice, Sweetie, stay safe and enjoy your travels.
Thanks, Cindy. Hopefully we will find better weather in our coming trips to the west. Love and miss you both!
Very informative and good advice for anyone not just people in RVs. Very well wrote Robin.
Thanks, Sherri. We have definitely had enough of this bad weather. I am looking forward to seeing all the cousins very soon!
Another blog post with a wealth of great information. Glad to hear to hear that your safe and took it as a learning opportunity.
Thanks, Caroline. Definitely grateful that we did not have it as bad as many in the news lately. This year the weather has been pretty crazy over much of the US! While I hope we don’t run into any more tornado warnings, I do feel a little better now that I know more about what to do. Thanks for following along with us:)
Great advice, hope you never ever have to use any of your tips. The weather has definitely
Been crazy this year.
Me too! We’ve already been through more tornado warnings than I would like. This year has definitely been crazy–let’s hope it gets better and we have a quiet summer:)
Great tips! I am bookmarking this for when we sell the house and go RVing!
Hi Jennifer! Thanks for checking out my blog:) We sold our house in May 2018 and started RVing full-time in September last year. We are having lots of fun and learning so much as we go. Good luck selling your house and getting ready to travel!
I normally do not camp in a tent or Rv. We do visit waterparks in WI and I found this very informative. I also pinned this to my Pinterest board for future use.
Hi Denise–thanks for checking out my blog! I am glad you found the information helpful–you are right that much of it can apply even if you aren’t camping. It was a big learning event for me since, fortunately, we hadn’t had to experience tornadoes before this. Happy traveling!
Wow – what a fantastic post! I’m terrified of tornadoes and never even thought about what we’d do if we’re camping and this happens! You have a ton of good tips (I never even thought of most of them!) and great resources to use as well. Thanks for the info!
Hi Stephanie–thanks for your comment. I am glad you found the tips helpful. I, too, am scared of tornadoes and learned that you don’t want to wait until you face one to figure out what to do! This year seemed especially fraught with bad weather over much of the US. Here’s wishing us all calm weather and happy travels:)
As a resident of Alabama, I”m almost always weather aware. But thanks for the reminders for our future RV days!
Hi Courtney–thanks for checking out my blog! We did experience some severe weather in both Georgia and Alabama, so I am glad you are staying weather aware. Hopefully you will enjoy clear skies when you are able to do some traveling. I am looking forward to seeing some great sites this summer:)
This is definitely my biggest fear of traveling full time! We are from Vegas, the only bad weather we get is heat! Great information here, thanks for sharing!
Hi Somer–thanks for checking out my blog! I hadn’t thought too much about bad weather until all of that happened to us, but we stay vigilant best we can now. Being aware and prepared is the best thing you can do….plus having a home on wheels does let you move to a safer area if you are informed early enough. Happy travels!