Tornado Safety

RVs are not good, but neither are vehicles. They also get tossed around and destroyed. If the RV park or campground does not have a designated shelter it is best to go where some shelter is available when a storm is approaching, and well before it arrives.

First: Advanced warning is important.. A good WEATHER/ALL Hazards Radio can save your life, has saved many already.

Next is preparation: Know where the campground Shelter is. (And get ye to it)

NOTE: With Tornadoes this is not always possible. but I once laughed when taking a test because the question was:
Where is the best place to take shelter during a hurricane?
A: underground
B: Above ground (outdoors)
C: indoors
D: IN a shelter outside the storm area

I have long said the best place to be when disaster strikes is... ELSEWHERE (Option D)

Finally: The Government (NOAA) conducts weather spotter classes. Many amateur radio clubs host these classes,, They not only teach you how to spot Tornadoes and other weather situtations, but what do do when you see one coming. (or hear it).. I recommend these classes.. YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE A RADIO OPERATOR to attend.

Having seen the total devastation possible by tornados it seem there are few above ground buildings they can't destroy. Being in or around RV's of any type, mobile homes, wood houses, and the like is a truly bad idea. With Hurricanes you usually have days to make a decision on what to do. Tornados, perhaps just a few minutes. Find a low, concrete structure and hope.

DougE wrote:
Sadly, it appears that several RVers were killed in Louisiana by a tornado while in their RV. What is a safe way to weather a storm?
I would think it would be obvious to shelter in a fixed structure in the campground. Otherwise wouldn't it be better to get in your tow vehicle or toad where you would be surrounded by steel? I would even consider idling the engine so the airbags were active. Thoughts?

Answer:





Safest place for a tornado is underground, ditch or crawl into a storm drain.

wa8yxm wrote:
First: Advanced warning is important.. A good WEATHER/ALL Hazards Radio can save your life, has saved many already.

Next is preparation: Know where the campground Shelter is. (And get ye to it)

NOTE: With Tornadoes this is not always possible. but I once laughed when taking a test because the question was:
Where is the best place to take shelter during a hurricane?
A: underground
B: Above ground (outdoors)
C: indoors
D: IN a shelter outside the storm area

I have long said the best place to be when disaster strikes is... ELSEWHERE (Option D)

Finally: The Government (NOAA) conducts weather spotter classes. Many amateur radio clubs host these classes,, They not only teach you how to spot Tornadoes and other weather situtations, but what do do when you see one coming. (or hear it).. I recommend these classes.. YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE A RADIO OPERATOR to attend.

X2.

A tornado can lift a vehicle or RV. Last place you want to be is in a vehicle getting thrown through the air at speeds you'd never drive on the ground.

For a quick exit out of a RV, head for the nearest bath house. We spent many hours in Alabama's - men and women together. People brought in a chair, weather radio, flashlights, water, snacks and we had a instant party in the bathroom. :) State park rangers would come around and knock on doors and that's where they told us to go. Of course, they were constructed of concrete blocks...a wood-frame structure wouldn't be as safe.

If you stay in tornado areas, when you check in ask where the nearest emergency shelter would be. Sometimes they're given on the park maps you receive. These areas are usually well prepared.

We were once on a interstate in Oklahoma getting fuel. Everyone was in the facility watching the news of a tornado quickly approaching the area we were. The truckers seemed to be staying right where they were - in the building. We spotted an highway underpass so quickly drove and parked - with many others. Cars were even driving up the steep slope under the highway and tucking in. Later, folks living in the area told us that is the worst place to park as the wind will funnel right through it. Luckily, the tornado hit a couple miles away but we did encounter extremely large hail so at that point, we were lucky we were parked under the overpass.

When driving the tornado states always stay tuned to weather reports and a weather radio is highly recommended. Stay safe out there.

Weather Radio by WDT iPhone or Android app.

This app follows you and if you are in an area where the National Weather Service has issued a warning (good while driving) or when one is issued in an area you are staying in, an your phone will sound an alarm and speak out loud the warning.

I use other apps and device to find other weather info.

I could not find a Weather radio that used GPS to dtermine current location. Manually setting up the radio every stop would likely get over looked.

Your milage may vary.

In a campground they always tell you to head for a concrete building, often the laundry room or comfort station.
It may be wind proof but it's not RV proof, the one tossed by the tornado.

YOU HAVE WHEELS USE THEM!

We're currently in Myrtle Beach Travel Park and have warnings all day. We have what we call the winter hall that is used as a shelter when needed. As well the washrooms/bathhouses within the campground are another place for folks to go if they get an alert.

do not get in a vehicle and try to drive away unless you leave before the tornado warning is issued. For example, if we were in one of the affected areas we knew 2 days in advance that this outbreak was going to be bad so we would have left. When we arrive at a campground we ask where the shelter is. Sturdy building, away from windows with as many walls between you and the outside as possible. Usually the bath house but not always. Sometimes you may need to drive to a nearby building. If you do not know the area I would not attempt to drive away from a tornado especially in the dark with heavy rains. Your vehicle is not safe but may be safer than your RV. (not saying much). Get a weather radio and keep it on. Look at the map and see what county you are located in and what counties surround you and what cities are nearby. when they issue the warning they tell you where the storm is located, what direction and how fast it's traveling and what cities will be affected. Sometimes you only have a few minutes warning. We keep the weather radio on at all times and scan it when we arrive at the next location. We have the TV, the weather radio, my computer and the map handy. My son lives in OK and says that most (not all) tornadoes move from the SW toward the NE. So if you do have to leave in a vehicle, find out where the tornado is located and which direction it's headed, then if it's coming from the SW, head due south in your vehicle. More dangerous at night. Don't go to sleep if there is a possibility of tornadoes if you don't have a weather radio that will wake you up. Don't second guess and don't let anyone talk you out of going to a shelter. Don't try to take stuff with you unless you have it ready to go before hand. Common sense will keep you safe. In the last 7 years of full timing we have evacuated 4 times. In FL, IL, MO and OH. Better safe than sorry.