Tornado safety

Two years ago close to this time we were in OKC. We had our trailer parked in an RV park north of the city, Twin Fountains. We where there for the World Series Softball Tournament. One of the days all the news station were of course reporting possible tornados coming.

Like I said we were in our trailer with our two dogs and began discussing what we would do if we had to run. Just around the corner is the Remington horse racing facility and casino. Told my wife that's where we would be heading. Well wouldn't you know it, The reports got worse and worse and we had a tornado headed right for us. We got the dogs and us, and jumped in the truck and hightailed it over there. I have never seen such hard rain. We made it to the casino and ran inside, dogs and all. Was no one gonna tell me I couldn't have my dogs with me.. Selfish maybe but they're living beings too and we ain't leaving them anywhere.. Anyway, no one said a word as we were waiting in the main lobby watching the rain. Then the Remington personnel informed everyone we would have to head for the basement as the tornado was on it's way. So down we went and I was so glad for that huge building. Got crowded and hot but the dogs were a big hit. Everyone loved em and they did well.

Down there about 45 minutes and we got cleared to go. Was still raining in sheets but at least the tornado had turned away and went south. No damage for us. Plenty for others. Needless to say I have absolute respect and admiration for Oklahoma City weather forecasters. I really thought they were being over dramatic about it all until it began getting worse and worse. They know their stuff.


By the way, the RV park as a shelter but they do not allow pets. Ain't no way I'm going in there and leaving em. We go back in 3 weeks and do it again. Will follow the same plan.
But yeah, scout your area. It's scary stuff.

mpierce wrote:

colliehauler wrote:
Usually your best bet is to head for the bath house if they don't have a storm shelter. The state parks usually have concrete bath houses.

Usually, that is the best bet. It is a concern.. Being an over the road trucker, the same concerns are always there. Where to go?

Yes, the parks around here use the concrete bathroom as a tornado shelter. This is usually posted on the bulletin board at the park.

This is one area where having a scanner or a Ham radio (and the license to use it) can be helpful. Tune into the local storm spotter net and you can usually get very accurate info. Had that happen once as I came from the west into Hayes, KS. The sky looked really odd, and I tuned in. A line of tornadoes was running from south of the town in a NE direction passing east of the town.

Spent the night there.

colliehauler wrote:
Usually your best bet is to head for the bath house if they don't have a storm shelter. The state parks usually have concrete bath houses.

Usually, that is the best bet. It is a concern.. Being an over the road trucker, the same concerns are always there. Where to go?

Usually your best bet is to head for the bath house if they don't have a storm shelter. The state parks usually have concrete bath houses.

Most usually RV parks designate the shower building if it is made out of concrete block.

I got in a real panic mode last year when a tornado was approaching. Being from the west, we very rarely have tornados. But we were on a trip across the country and had stopped for the night in an RV park in Illinois. I knew enough to purchase a emergency weather radio, so I turned it on when we got set up. About an hour later, the radio's alarm went off with a tornado warning in our area. The wind, rain and hail started to pick up, and I had no idea what to do. The RV office was closed, and there was no designated shelter.

Other campers seemed to care less and just kept drinking their beer and said "if it gets ya, it gets ya"! Fortunately, the tornado bypassed us. But I vowed to have a plan from then on. Now, if there is a chance of tornados while we're in camp, 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".