As we prepare for going out of town this weekend to Oklahoma, I’ve been thinking about the topic of thunderstorms (severe weather has been predicted). Before I start, you need to understand two things about Arkansas and Oklahoma. 1 – Our particular stretch of real estate is known as “Tornado Alley” for a reason, and 2 – southerners like to put our crazy on and parade it around for all to see. What’s that have to do with severe weather tips for RVers?
We’ll get to that in a minute. (Cliffhanger…OMG!) You know I’m really just trying to get you to read the whole post! Haha…I’m sneaky, sneaky like that!
Let’s talk about a plan of action first!
SEVERE WEATHER TIPS – PLAN AHEAD
The best severe weather tips start with having a proactive plan. Know what you’re gonna do in any given circumstance. Here in the south, it’s tornados, and flash floods (occasional hurricanes too…our disasters usually come with water!). If you are in the north, I could imagine some of the same situations mixed with snow storms. I’m sure the west has it’s own issues too. I know the far west has to deal with mudslides and wildfires.
My point is, be aware of your immediate surroundings:
- Where are the exits to the RV park?
- Does the park have a safe shelter?
- Where is the nearest Walmart or other stores that might be safe?
- Where’s the nearest gas station
- Where’s the nearest hospital?
- What would you do if you’re separated from your spouse or children?
- What would you do if cell service was unavailable?
Read through these severe weather tips andplan for these situations. If you do have children, and you travel in the RV often or full-time, it might be a good idea to drill these exercises. Scope out each new park and talk about what you would do in any given situation so the kids (and spouses) know what to expect.
PROTECT YOUR STUFF
Our Stuff!
We RVers LOVE our STUFF! We love our gadgets and chairs and toys and everything else we can fit in that thing! I’d be remiss if I didn’t tell you to PUT YOUR STUFF AWAY as soon as it becomes clear that the weather will indeed hit you.
Fold up the chairs, put them away either in the camper storage or put them under it out of the weather. Fold up your mats and put them away. Roll up your awnings and protect anything else you don’t want to blow away.
Anything that belongs to you that you would like to continue to belong to you, PACK IT UP! If you must, pack up like you’re leaving. It’ll make it easier if you have to actually leave (I’m specifically thinking of flash-flooding).
PROTECT YOUR PETS
My son’s dog camping with us!
Let’s talk about pets for a sec…I know you guys love your fur babies. I did a post about taking your dog camping with you. You gotta know I love them too! I really do, ask Glynn…I was NUTS about my dog before she passed away, and I’m NUTS about my son’s dog! I’d be crazy to leave out pets from my severe weather tips.
Most RV parks have good, solid bathhouses that are safe for riding out most storms. I’m sure you can take your pet with you into these bathhouses. However, if you MUST EVACUATE, please remember that your life is FAR MORE IMPORTANT than your pet’s. Obviously, take them with you when you can…just don’t RISK YOUR LIFE to get them.
Now, I know there are some people who love their fur babies as their own children. I get it…I really do. But seriously…losing a pet is indescribably sad, but losing a person is unbearably terrible. Saving a pet is NOT WORTH losing a family member. Please use wisdom when evacuating quickly. Grab the pets if you’re able, but don’t lose a life over it.
PROTECT YOURSELF!
The best of the severe weather tips…of course…PROTECT YOURSELF! If a particularly bumpy storm is coming (or any other natural disaster that can be predicted), know when to evacuate, know the warning signs and keep an ear to the ground, so to speak.
A WATCH is what is issued when conditions are favorable for that particular weather event (flash flood, severe thunderstorm or tornado). A WARNING is what issued when the weather conditions (flash flood, severe thunderstorm or tornado) HAVE DEVELOPED. One notable difference between severe thunderstorms and tornadoes is that severe thunderstorms are capable of producing hail greater than 1” in diameter and/or 50 knot (58 mph) winds. Here’s a great article on the differences.
Here’s the deal, we southerners have a hard time with this because we always go outside to WATCH when a thunderstorm rolls in…so we think a WARNING is a WATCH! Not joking here! I did tell you we like to fly our crazy flag, right?
Either way, if a watch is issued, it’s time to GET OUT of your camper…FIND A SAFE PLACE with or without pets. In case I didn’t make that clear enough earlier in these severe weather tips, LEAVE THE RV! If your insurance is in place, it will cover any loss or damage if you have proper coverage (this would be a great time for an insurance checkup)!
Mobile homes and RVs don’t fare well against strong winds and tornadoes. Hide ya kids, hide ya wife…it’s time to get out and save ya life…no matter the time of day (but especially at night when you can’t see a tornado)!
APPS TO DOWNLOAD
You know I had to mention apps in my severe weather tips, right? I think it’s safe to say everyone has their own favorite weather app. I’m not sure it’s my fav, but I use Weather Channel’s app. My mom uses My Radar (I do think this is a decent app…I just don’t use it). Let’s put them in a list.
- Weather Channel (FREE)
- My Radar NOAA Weather Radar (FREE)
- NOAA Weather App ($4.99 in iTunes, not sure about Google Play)
- NOAA Weather Alerts ($1.99in iTunes, not sure about Google Play)
THINGS YOU MIGHT NEED
As mentioned previously, we RVers love our stuff! C’mon…admit it…you know you do! I do anyway, I can never have enough gadgets! You knew I’d have these in my severe weather tips:
Noaa Emergency Radio
– I am bad about not having an emergency radio (ours is O L D!), but to be fair, we aren’t full-time RVers yet and VERY RARELY camp in severe weather. This particular one is about $50…I know, it’s not cheap, but it’s worth it. It’s solar powered, rechargeable, has wind up emergency radio weather alerts, built-in flashlight, and recharges electronics. This one is on my Amazon wishlist for Christmas!
30,000 mAh power bank – let’s face it, you can never have enough juice! This bad boy only costs $46 and has enough power to charge a MacBook…twice. It can CERTAINLY handle phones (yes, I said phones…plural). My new iPhone 8 Plus has a battery size of 2,675 mAh and could be charged 10 times! My old power bank is 10,000 mAh…my Christmas list just grew again!
Flashlight – Because the REALLY violent storms come at night, and even if they didn’t who doesn’t need another flashlight? We have one very similar to this. It’s so bright, I’m sure it would give the light of a thousand suns a run for its money (read that link…SO FUNNY)! I digress…this flashlight is only $10, well worth it!
Headlamp – If you have children or pets, a headlamp might be easier for hands-free situations. At $13, you might want more than one! Plus, kids like to play with the headlamps. It might be a fun distraction from an otherwise terrifying situation.
Batteries – I’m not linking this, you understand batteries and you know where to find them. Make sure you have the right kind for your flashlight and any other electronics you might need to power.
MORE TO CONSIDER
Aside from these things, I would probably take some drinks and snacks with me if I had to leave the RV. My husband keeps a basic bugout bag in both of our cars for emergency purposes…you should think about this…it’s not a bad idea! Search “bug out bag” on Pinterest…YOU ARE WELCOME! 🙂 This isn’t just for severe weather tips, but tips for life!
Also mentioned previously in these severe weather tips, BEFORE the storm gets bad is the time to plan for stuff like that! If you know severe weather is headed your way, just put that bug out bag in your car just in case. Thunderstorms and tornadic storms typically don’t sneak up on us. I know, I know…it’s not unheard of, but that’s the exception, not the rule.
Remember, in any given situation, it’s up to you to KEEP YOURSELF SAFE! If you know severe weather is headed your way, talk to the RV park. They will know the best place either there or nearby for you to seek refuge.
Here are a few more things to think about:
- BE PREPARED (have I made that clear yet?) 🙂
- Know you’re current address and county (including your site number)
- Keep up with where all exits to your RV park are (evacuation plan)
- Know where safety is (where to hole up if needed)
- Watch the weather (stay updated)
- It’s always better to be safe than sorry (get out BEFORE it gets too bad)
FINAL THOUGHTS
I know, you’re waiting for me to shut up…but you had to read to the end for the promised cliffhanger.
Look, severe weather is no joke. Those of us who live in Tornado Alley probably don’t follow severe weather tips seriously enough. We hear our emergency sirens go off in Arkansas every Wednesday at noon (for weekly testing).
We really are CRAZY down here in the south. I was REALLY telling the truth when I said we go outside when a tornado watch is active.
The cliffhanger? It’s not what you’re expecting…it’s SUPER SAD.
My mom and I were on a plane ride home one time from my niece’s wedding in San Diego. We were talking to a Californian (who had a job interview in Little Rock) about how tornadoes weren’t really that bad, just usually freak occurrences of nature that weren’t really to be feared.
THAT VERY AFTERNOON, not even an hour after we landed, a freak tornado landed in a sparsely populated area of town that killed a friend of mine and two of his young adult daughters. Not the cliffhanger you were expecting, but this just goes to show you that you can’t always depend on the warning sirens, and freak storms do actually happen.
Be aware, and be safe! Live to camp another day!
There are some great safety tips here! I am from a tiny town in the heart of Tornado alley and spent most of my adult life between OK, KS and AR. I do get so super excited for a good storm, but living in a tin can we have to be extra careful!
I’m a bit of a control freak so I try to always have an emergency plan no matter where we go, and like you said… sometimes these things happen with no warning. Always be prepared!
That’s right! I’m from AR and mostly camp here in AR. Tornadoes are a HUGE concern. I’m not sure when I would leave my camper, but most likely when the meteorologists predict it to get nasty (you know Arkansans bail at the thought of bad weather!)! 🙂 Thanks for commenting!