what do you do in severe weather? - RV-Dreams Community Forum

suse1023 · RV-Dreams Family Member

what do you do in severe weather?

Mark V · RV-Dreams Family Member

I'm guessing that it all has to do with the type of RV you're living in, the proximity and severity of the weather, along with your ability to self-sustain for any given length of time. I'd also guess that if the weather forecast calls floods, hurricanes, or tornadoes, that all bets are off and the best advice would be to get out of Dodge, post haste.

Alie and Jims Carrilite · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hurricanes, move out of the way. When we had a house it was different though, batten down the hatches, pull the camper into the field, and let'er rip.
Severe T-storms, awning up/in, put away anything that can blow around.
Tornado's find permanent shelter.
We have a Midland weather radio that we tune to the current county we're in. It alerts for warnings to that county.

cherylbrv · RV-Dreams Family Member

If you hear a forecast about severe storms predicted which have the potential to produce tornadoes, does that give you enough advance notice to move out? Or is the ONLY option to seek shelter?

TRAILERKING · RV-Dreams Family Member

As long as you're under your awning you should be good.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

cherylbrv wrote:
If you hear a forecast about severe storms predicted which have the potential to produce tornadoes, does that give you enough advance notice to move out? Or is the ONLY option to seek shelter?

Ignore Trailerking's awning comment. I can attest that it won't work. (Yes, I know he's being facetious.)

As for forecasts regarding tornadoes, that is really iffy. While one can get forecasts for storms that "could" produce tornadoes, there is no way of knowing just where those will occur. Now, if you have good forecasters like here in the Oklahoma City area, you will likely have enough warning to get out of town. However, one could still be moving into the path of a storm because some of them can develop quickly. In places where the forecasters don't have the same knowledge of storms, I'd say just find a shelter.

Now, in our case, Jo and I tend to stay at home (in the trailer) and watch the local news stations to see what is going on and where any tornadoes may be occurring. Here in Oklahoma City, they have storm spotters scattered around and following the storms. They are in communication and can give exact locations and directions of the tornadoes. With that knowledge, one can know if a storm is threatening one, provided that one knows where they are in relationship to the area where the reports are for the storms. In only one case have we gone to the storm shelter, and even then, the storm missed us by miles.

Terry

PIEERE · RV-Dreams Family Member

Storms; Got me thinking!!! 1st: as been said a weather radio preferably tuned into your county....Some have Smartphones.

2nd: Pick up all loose objects and NOAA.com has hurricane tracking (Suse1023) for Florida.

3rd: being prepared and knowing where the closest Emergency Shelter is located.

I lived in Florida and was chased out of my location once between 1999 and 2001. I believe it Hurricane Floyd which was to strike just off-shore of Jacksonville Beach; FL. I had a 17' Travel Trailer and a 1/2 ton truck and hooked up and went west past Lake City about 25 miles and parked. The big problem is too many want to do the same as you. It took me 8-10 hours to go what usually under 2 hours od driving. It hit further out; but the park i was staying in lost some big old Spanish Oak trees; thankfully no one was injured. In 2005 hurricane Charly came across and i satyed as it looked erractic. A small Tornado touched down about 900 ft. from my camper at 3:00 AM. I was unscathed but when I opened the door the water was about 3" from the bottom of the camper and thankfully it was calming down.

The best is to be prepared just as you would do with any other situations. A bug out bag with all your important documents; medicines; etc. May be 2 changes of clothes; sleepwear and under garments; a sleeping bag or warm blanket and small pillow. Some time you may have to wait a few days before the authorities let you return to your area.

Try not to Panic!!! A clearer thinking mind gets us through tough decicins making!!

DebbieM · RV-Dreams Family Member

Love the bug out bag idea. Another great thing to add to my notebook for this summer when we start FTing!

FLCoastalChick · RV-Dreams Family Member

I know here in SW FL there are 2 rv storage places that have 12' walls for putting your unit in during a hurricane. (I already have a spot reserved for the hurricane season...lol) plus they will let me stay in my camper for that time also and they gave very reasonable rates. With me I do not have an option to outrun it since I do not have a truck to pull the camper with yet.

Documents, 3 days worth of supplies, body wipes (even at a hotel you may be without water), clothing, etc. then hold on!!

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

suse1023 wrote:
so what do you do when you hear about incoming violent thunderstorms or tornados or hurricanes?
have you ever tried to outrun weather?
been caught unawares and have to flee your wheel estate?
move to higher ground?
tell me all about it please!

Yes, my Mom and Dad as fulltimers, and we as well more than once, have outrun weather. But keep in mind the problem with that isn’t usually the weather. It’s the traffic on the roads if you are talking really bad stuff. Especially snow or hurricanes on the coast where there are sometimes only one or two roads out. Roads can become clogged quickly and then you could be stuck in the open. Leave early if you’re going to move. Don’t wait “one more day.” Mom and Dad got within “inches” of loosing the rig in a flood in the mountains due to the water coming up so fast. Don’t wait. Then there was this hurricane . . .. Another reason we have an aux tank and try to keep it full. It's about having a plan and then following through.

on Edit: In central Florida its a little better, but I know the routes out of the area and be careful about getting stuck on the Interstate. 301 can be a good route to go north if required.

-- Edited by Bill and Linda on Thursday 13th of February 2014 07:25:32 AM

VanMar · RV-Dreams Family Member

Terry and Jo wrote:
Ignore Trailerking's awning comment. I can attest that it won't work. (Yes, I know he's being facetious.)

Yeah, Bernie. You could've at least put a smiley face or something like a after that comment. I can just see Suse sitting under the awning, tornado approaching, thinking "We're under the awning, we'll be OK...Bernie said so....uh, Bernie........"

Dog Folks · RV-Dreams Family Member

I can only address Florida and hurricanes. Remember, Florida is a peninsula.

The only direction you can go , at least at first, is north. Everyone that evacuates will also be going north. Traffic is unbelievable and there is a chance you would be caught on the road during the hurricane.

As others have mentioned, leave VERY early. As soon as your area is in the forecast cone, published by the National Hurricane Center, LEAVE. We left five days early on the last one, and the traffic was heavy, but at least still moving.

Well built secondary roads can be better than the interstates. US27 or US 301 come to mind.

The Bear II · RV-Dreams Family Member

In southern California severe weather is a lot milder than in other parts of the country....

Our severe weather is heavy rain or high winds or 100 degree heat.

One of our scariest experiences was a night spent on the shore of the Pacific Ocean during a bad thunderstorm. We saw it coming in from the ocean and watched as the lightning struck the islands off the coast and then headed our way. My DW and I huddle in our bed with the blinds open and watch as the lightning bolts struck all around us accompanied by heavy rain and wind. The closest strike was to the railroad tracks about 40 feet from our 5th wheel.

More often we get to suffer through 100 plus degree heat... we stay inside with the A/C running, blinds closed and all awnings deployed. Mostly watch movies or read. We emerge from the RV after the sun goes down and enjoy the evening, staying out until the park quiet time kicks in or we get tired.

suse1023 · RV-Dreams Family Member

that's exactly what I was thinking.
we'd best get a good head start because everyone with the same idea will be headed in the same direction.
the only thing worse (for us) than trying to sit it out would be being stuck in traffic!

Clay L · RV-Dreams Family Member

There have been a couple of times we have had our bug-out bags packed, the cat carrier out and unfolded because of possible tornadoes - in TX in May.

The RV park shelter was the concrete block bath house which may or may not have been the best choice but was the only choice at the time.

Once near Nashville, early in the morning (5 am or so), a storm hit with no warning since I had just got up. Golf ball sized hail did about $2800 damage to our Honda and put little pock marks with holes in the bottom in both slide top awnings so they had to be replaced - another few hundred dollars.

If possible I would try to outrun a hurricane since you may have days of warning. As a rule that won't work with tornadoes though.

NWescapee · RV-Dreams Family Member

We learned a valuable lesson last September when we were caught in Colorado when the rivers breached and we were told to evacuate. Always pay attention to the local weather, we didn't have access to the local TV stations so we hadn't quite realized how bad it might get.

We were very fortunate as our truck had been in the shop for 2 weeks and we had just gotten it back before the roads were under water and we would have been cut off from the shop for several days. Another couple wasn't quite so lucky, their truck had also been in the shop, but by the time it was ready they couldn't get from the campground to the shop. They put their spare vehicle (with bug out bag packed) on the street leading out of the campground, prepared to leave their 5th wheel behind.

Luckily the river didn't rise quite as high as the campground, but it taught us a lesson. On our way out, we dumped the tanks but neither of us thought about checking the level of the fresh water tank, we were pretty low. Because we hadn't been tuned in enough to the local area and weren't aware it was as bad as it was, we had a lot of "stuff" out that needed to be repacked quickly. A good lesson to learn with just 2 months of FT'ing behind us at that point in time.

NOWYO · RV-Dreams Community Member

Terry and Jo wrote:
cherylbrv wrote:
If you hear a forecast about severe storms predicted which have the potential to produce tornadoes, does that give you enough advance notice to move out? Or is the ONLY option to seek shelter?

Ignore Trailerking's awning comment. I can attest that it won't work. (Yes, I know he's being facetious.)
As for forecasts regarding tornadoes, that is really iffy. While one can get forecasts for storms that "could" produce tornadoes, there is no way of knowing just where those will occur. Now, if you have good forecasters like here in the Oklahoma City area, you will likely have enough warning to get out of town. However, one could still be moving into the path of a storm because some of them can develop quickly. In places where the forecasters don't have the same knowledge of storms, I'd say just find a shelter.
Now, in our case, Jo and I tend to stay at home (in the trailer) and watch the local news stations to see what is going on and where any tornadoes may be occurring. Here in Oklahoma City, they have storm spotters scattered around and following the storms. They are in communication and can give exact locations and directions of the tornadoes. With that knowledge, one can know if a storm is threatening one, provided that one knows where they are in relationship to the area where the reports are for the storms. In only one case have we gone to the storm shelter, and even then, the storm missed us by miles.
Terry

This is a topic I think I can speak to as I am a trained spotter with Buffalo County here in Central Nebraska. The first thing you should have is a weather radio. These are not very expensive, and go off when there is severe weather in your area. Whenever a tornado watch is issued, everyone should be paying attention to the weather, as it can deteriorate very rapidly. Next, you should find a hardened shelter to go to. Don't try to shelter in an RV. And don't try to outrun a storm. As terry said, these storms develop quickly, and as you get away from one severe situation you may be running into another without knowing it.

Once you hear of bad weather, everyone should consider cleaning out their grey and black tanks, and take on fresh water. If the area your in is affected, it may be a while before public services like water and sewer, electricity can be restored.

Alie and Jims Carrilite · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have a Midland weather radio. Tunes in to 6 stations and automatically alerts when there's trouble coming.
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00009V2YV/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

Everyone Should have one.......all of us travel about the country into regions we are unfamiliar......

experiencing severe weather that you never have been in before UN-prepared can have a dire outcome....

I have one that is on my dash...and over the years it has really been a saver!

BiggarView · RV-Dreams Family Member

Absolutely agree with Mike and others WRT NOAA weather radio. We have an Ambient Weather Adventurer... tunable to all NOAA,AM,FM,rechargeable from hand crank,onboard solar panel,plugs for various power sources or run small items like cell phones for short periods.(very useful), it also has an LED flashlight built in... Here's a link to their website: http://www.ambientweather.com/ they are available on Amazon.com

-- Edited by biggaRView on Wednesday 5th of March 2014 08:36:28 AM

NOWYO · RV-Dreams Community Member

biggaRView wrote:
Absolutely agree with Mike and others WRT NOAA weather radio. We have an Ambient Weather Adventurer... tunable to all NOAA,AM,FM,rechargeable from hand crank,onboard solar panel,plugs for various power sources or run small items like cell phones for short periods.(very useful), it also has an LED flashlight built in... Here's a link to their website: http://www.ambientweather.com/ they are available on Amazon.com

-- Edited by biggaRView on Wednesday 5th of March 2014 08:36:28 AM

This should be a staple in an RV. I'm a ham operator and usually listen to bad weather reports on that, but I still have a weather radio. They have saved many lives.

cherylbrv · RV-Dreams Family Member

So when your radio goes on with an alert, how much time do you actually have to prepare?

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

depends on where your at.......most alert systems give location and time frames with each announcement. you just pretty much need to know where you are and judge from there. sometimes you just take cover fast.

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

While I totally agree with the NOAA Wx radio, we certainly have one; don’t forget that smart phones can get weather alerts from the NWS via a peltry of services such as TWC and Intelliecast. These go out on what is known as the “weather wire” so every outlets gets the feed more or less the same instant. You can program your phone for a specific sound when those are issued and most of these programs can use GPS to know where you are if you let them. Another source of information especially when your not in the rig.

PIEERE · RV-Dreams Family Member

I have a Citizens Band Radio with the Weather Channels; have it6 hard wired directly to the battery and I have a 1.5 amp trickle charger connected to the battery. When it alerts it sounds like the NOAA alerts. Then you turn on the unit for the weather alert. I can also use my portable Lantern/radio which has a hand crank power generator. Another camper gave this to me a few years back; it has came in handy more than once.

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

A small backpack in your RV with bugout supplies help alot.....a small weather radio...flashlight , Snacks bottled water and meds is good on the way to a storm shelter!!

Neil and Connie · RV-Dreams Family Member

We try to stay out of FL in the late summer/fall to avoid hurricanes and the north in winter to avoid snow/ice. Tornado's can happen anyplace/anytime but tend to be more in the midwest in the spring/summer…not a guarantee as they happen all over but maybe concentrate a bit is the best way to put it.

Almost all RV parks have designated tornado shelters…usually whatever concrete block building they have. We would run to avoid a big storm if we had a few days notice…after all one can pretty easily get 1000 miles in 3 days and that would take you hopefully out of the path.

I like Lucky Mike's suggestion of a bug out kit though…although we don't have one if a tornado was on the way and we had 2 minutes before running out the door we would grab that sort of stuff.

Tornado watches happen all the time when there are thunderstorms, especially in the midwest to southeast…so listen to the weather radio when they happen and keep aware of the situation. Warnings happen when they're more likely…but I've probably been smack dab in the middle of at least 100 of them over the years and none of them actually had a tornado that was anywhere near me. You definitely can't get the rig away from them…not enough warning time. I wouldn't really suggest running for it in the car unless I was already in the car though, usually there is not all that much warning before the actual tornado hits if you are in the wrong spot.

Best is listen to the radio…we were under a warning for the late morning and early afternoon here in Fort Myers just today…but the front rolled through with some heavy rain for an hour or so and a couple rumbles of thunder…but now it's just overcast and lousy but not bad at all. I did go out and pick up all the loose stuff that might become a missile hazard just in case though but didn't do anything else.

Ed and Beth · RV-Dreams Community Member

Thanks for the great information! Those of us from the Northwest have little to no experience with those types of weather. It's good to have some straight advice from people who have experienced it. My experience during storms when traveling has been to be laughed at and teased about being from California while receiving no useful information. It's meant in a good natured way but if you haven't lived in regions that get severe weather it's a little nerve wracking.

Beth

MarkS · RV-Dreams Family Member

According to hat great American philosopher, Toby Keith, there's always something going on in the trailerhood! For high winds, lash yourself to a tree and grab a beer.

Second Chance · RV-Dreams Family Member

Depending on where you are, don't seek shelter at the local sheriff's department...

http://www.kctv5.com/story/30126128/woman-upset-after-turned-away-from-sheriffs-office-during-tornado-alert

Rob

Sushidog · RV-Dreams Family Member

I bought my Aliner camper as a bug-out trailer after evacuating for Hurricane Katrina. We used it to evacuate for Hurricane Gustav and it worked great. Be sure and leave as early as possible. Don't wait till the last minute as I was forced to do (due to the nature of my business). I was the last vehicle allowed to get on I-10 going east. I watched in my rearview mirror as the police barricaded the highway off behind me, forcing everyone north. Needless to say, a 2 hr trip took 8 hrs. Better have a lot of fuel on hand too, as it is doubtful you will be able to get any along the evacuation route without spending hours in line, if it's available at all.

For smaller storms I throw a nylon motorcycle tie-down strap over the top to hold both roof halves together and ride it out. The worst winds I faced were on the top of Mt. Magazine, the highest peak in Arkansas. The high gusts (I'd say around 60-65mph) shook the camper and even moved it around a little, but we survived. Remember, most RVs do great in 70-80 mph winds when moving down the road, just not broadside, so try to park heading into the wind if a storm comes up and you don't have time to leave.

All bets are off in a tornado though, even in a S&B. I was in an old, well built home that got hit by a tornado in Hurricane Betsy as a child. It tore off the back room of the house cleanly, gently picking the house up and setting it down a few inches over. It's true what they say; it sounds like a freight train coming through the middle of the house. We were all blessed as had someone been in the back room we wouldn't have even found their body. It looked like someone came along and sawed it off cleanly with the wall attached to the rest of the house - and then hauled everything away. Not a single board was left lying on the ground. If you'd open up the door to the kitchen there was nothing there - it was all gone! Moral of the story, if a tornado is coming find a hole to hide in and pray. During Hurricane Camille one of our friends and neighbors had a house and two sturdy barns all in a row about 100-150ft apart, with the house siting on a small hill between the two barns. The tornado flattened both barns, skipping over the house they were in. Not a shingle was missing. They must have been doing some serious praying that day.

Chip