Tornado safety

colliehauler wrote:
The odd thing is Moore OK has been hit by a tornado several times in the last few years and this area that was hit is just North of Moore.

I was driving from Dallas to OKC several Friday nighta for a several years in the 90's and 00's (helping a friend ran State Fair Speedway).

We saw the tornado damage in Moore four different years, frequent damage between central Norman and I-40.

After I got our first trailer, I made a decision to not stop at Tinker AFB FamCamp nor Roadrunner RV during tornado season.

I can't prove it but to me it seems that certain geography and buildup seems to enhance tornado creation, and tornado routes. And the Norman to I-40 area along I-35 has that combination.

If you have a smart phone with GPS turned on, you can Google "what county am I in".

I've never seen a map that didn't have the counties listed. Must be a cheap map if it doesn't. Official sate maps are good ones. You can often get them at the state line rest station. (At least for the states around me)

I just checked my free State Farm Road Atlas and it has the counties listed.

I have a weather radio with alert alarm in my RV. I sleep with it set on alert so if a storm is near the alarm goes off. The radio does not need to be turned on for the alarm to go off.

If you get a good weather radio they have something called SAME built into them. In that case the alarm only goes off when it is for your area and not for surrounding areas. But, you would need to know where you are to program it into the radio.

I agree with the warnings being almost worthless to travelers. They used to say "on a line from (major city) to (major city). At least that gave us an idea of where.

Now, as stated above, they give it by COUNTIES! Counties mean NOTHING to travelers. How would I know where Tippacanoe County is?

TucsonJim wrote:
I got in a real panic mode last year when a tornado was approaching. Being from the west, we very rarely have tornados. ............, I ask the RV park owner where the best place to shelter is. You'd be surprised how many of them say "We've never been hit by a tornado, so there's nothing to worry about".

There's ALWAYS a first time! Better to be safe than sorry.

"The tornado splintered a southeast Oklahoma City motel and ripped Roadrunner RV Park, 4800 S Hattie Ave., scattering belongings and tossing motor homes like toys."

We were in TN one fall, weather radio was blasting so many alerts we had to turn it off. Unfortunately they report by county, which meant nothing to us. neither of our Atlas's have county's marked. Anyone have one that is marked? could use the name of it. Luckily the CG host motored around with his golf cart warning us each time we needed to head for the showers. We wondered why there were only a handful of campers in the CG when we checked in.

Once we had our campsite booked for several weeks when a line of severe storms were scheduled for our area all night. Wind heavy rain and tornados were predicted. Not much sleeping in a trailer if that was going to happen! We decided it was a great night for date night at a nice hotel. It was the best decision ever. :-)

When you're using your weather radio, know what county you are in.

We spent many hours in the campground restrooms when we used to do a lot of traveling in Alabama - boys and girls combined. The rangers even came to the doors and asked you to go there.

While in those areas, have ready to grab your radio, a flashlight, purse, money, etc. laptop if convenient, water and snacks. A couple small camp chairs would make you more comfortable if the toilets are occupied! :)

Be safe out there.

Bike helmet is a great idea.