Here we are after 16 days of near perfect weather in FL.....it's raining "cats and dogs"!
I wondered what it would be like to be "hold up" inside our 5er on a rainy day....it's not bad....cozy in fact!
I do have a question.....the bad weather started about 5 AM....still dark...wind blowing...no weather alerts.....but I could feel the wind hitting against the trailer....had the awing anchored down....but it was flapping....decided to wait for a break in the rain then we rolled it up....neighbor tried to tie his down during the wind and lost it completely. Here's my question: when is it necessary to exit your trailer and go to a more secure building? Needless to say, I didn't get much more sleep....stayed up monitoring the weather on my computer.
NorCal Dan said
12:18 PM Mar 28, 2011
I monitor the weather radio for alerts, the NOAA/NWS is very good at sending out warnings as well as providing updated information if you monitor the broadcast. If the tornado siren goes off we always go to the shelter. Better safe than sorry is our motto.
But there are always people who never leave their rig...I don't understand their logic...but to each his own.
2fortheroad said
12:23 PM Mar 28, 2011
NorCal Dan wrote:
I monitor the weather radio for alerts, the NOAA/NWS is very good at sending out warnings as well as providing updated information if you monitor the broadcast. If the tornado siren goes off we always go to the shelter. Better safe than sorry is our motto.
But there are always people who never leave their rig...I don't understand their logic...but to each his own.
I'm with you Dan, I don't want to end up in the Land of Oz before my time.
Tim & Robyn said
02:05 PM Mar 28, 2011
Just a question: Aren't some of these NOAA weather radios progammable for the county/zip code /area code where you are so that they don't go off unless there is a watch or warning for where you are?
If so, I can't see any reason to lose sleep as long as you're sure the thing will wake you up and you know where the shelters are so that you can act quickly when necessary.
I remember that where I used to work they had one at the security guard station that would go off like an alarm clock if there was any severe weather activity in or approaching the local area.
Just a thought...
Tim
NorCal Dan said
10:55 PM Mar 28, 2011
Not all radio's use the S.A.M.E. programming. You need to make sure the radio is receiving the normal 24/7 broadcast (you might need to un-squelch the radio), and then make sure it picks up the test signal that should activate your S.A.M.E. code, the test is done every Wednesday around 11 a.m. After that you should be good to go.
BruceandTrisha said
04:43 AM Mar 29, 2011
Rainy days are some of our most favorite times . . . snuggle in with a good book, or a movie . . . listen to the rain on the roof . . . it's so relaxing. Same with the snowy days here in Missouri, especially this year! Just a few more inches of snow and we'll have the all time record for snowfall in this area. More forecasted for today and we thought SPRING was here????
I've learned there are just a few things you must keep on hand - duct tape, WD40 and batteries! If it moves and it shouldn't - use duct tape; if it doesn't move and should, use WD40 . . . and if the weather is threatening - turn on the battery powered radio and stay in touch with the alerts.
We don't live in an area where tornado sirens are available, so we have to go by awareness and the radio. Haven't yet had to take shelter, but it's a 100 ft from our camper and there if we need it. Or there's always the ditch - been told since I was a child to lie down in a ditch if you are caught in a tornado.
Be safe everyone!
TXRVr said
09:00 AM Mar 29, 2011
Programmable weather radios are excellent devices for this sort of event. However, be aware that zip codes may include a very broad geographical area especially in rural areas or states with a lot of non-populated area. It is best to put in the zip codes of surrounding areas as well.
Severe weather alerts include the counties that it affects. It would be prudent to be aware of the county that you are in and those surrounding your location as part of being prepared. If you have a map that shows counties, you can look at it (preferrable before the tornado starts rolling in) and get an idea of where you are in reference to the track of the severe weather. Expanding the area for the radio will provide more time for preparing to leave the rig if necessary.
It is important to know and listen for the terms "watch" and "warning" as they relate to your location. One can mean the difference between rolling over and going back to sleep or getting up and getting dressed.
For those who like to monitor weather on their computer here are two good sites that will give weather radar information. Select base reflectivity and put the maps in loop for the best information. http://radar.weather.govwww.wunderground.com/radar/map.asp
Here we are after 16 days of near perfect weather in FL.....it's raining "cats and dogs"!
I wondered what it would be like to be "hold up" inside our 5er on a rainy day....it's not bad....cozy in fact!
I do have a question.....the bad weather started about 5 AM....still dark...wind blowing...no weather alerts.....but I could feel the wind hitting against the trailer....had the awing anchored down....but it was flapping....decided to wait for a break in the rain then we rolled it up....neighbor tried to tie his down during the wind and lost it completely. Here's my question: when is it necessary to exit your trailer and go to a more secure building? Needless to say, I didn't get much more sleep....stayed up monitoring the weather on my computer.
But there are always people who never leave their rig...I don't understand their logic...but to each his own.
I'm with you Dan, I don't want to end up in the Land of Oz before my time.
Just a question: Aren't some of these NOAA weather radios progammable for the county/zip code /area code where you are so that they don't go off unless there is a watch or warning for where you are?
If so, I can't see any reason to lose sleep as long as you're sure the thing will wake you up and you know where the shelters are so that you can act quickly when necessary.
I remember that where I used to work they had one at the security guard station that would go off like an alarm clock if there was any severe weather activity in or approaching the local area.
Just a thought...
Tim
Rainy days are some of our most favorite times . . . snuggle in with a good book, or a movie . . . listen to the rain on the roof . . . it's so relaxing. Same with the snowy days here in Missouri, especially this year! Just a few more inches of snow and we'll have the all time record for snowfall in this area. More forecasted for today and we thought SPRING was here????
I've learned there are just a few things you must keep on hand - duct tape, WD40 and batteries! If it moves and it shouldn't - use duct tape; if it doesn't move and should, use WD40 . . . and if the weather is threatening - turn on the battery powered radio and stay in touch with the alerts.
We don't live in an area where tornado sirens are available, so we have to go by awareness and the radio. Haven't yet had to take shelter, but it's a 100 ft from our camper and there if we need it. Or there's always the ditch - been told since I was a child to lie down in a ditch if you are caught in a tornado.
Be safe everyone!
Programmable weather radios are excellent devices for this sort of event. However, be aware that zip codes may include a very broad geographical area especially in rural areas or states with a lot of non-populated area. It is best to put in the zip codes of surrounding areas as well.
Severe weather alerts include the counties that it affects. It would be prudent to be aware of the county that you are in and those surrounding your location as part of being prepared. If you have a map that shows counties, you can look at it (preferrable before the tornado starts rolling in) and get an idea of where you are in reference to the track of the severe weather. Expanding the area for the radio will provide more time for preparing to leave the rig if necessary.
It is important to know and listen for the terms "watch" and "warning" as they relate to your location. One can mean the difference between rolling over and going back to sleep or getting up and getting dressed.
For those who like to monitor weather on their computer here are two good sites that will give weather radar information. Select base reflectivity and put the maps in loop for the best information. http://radar.weather.gov www.wunderground.com/radar/map.asp