I have never read anything on what to do to avoid and be forewarned of tornados and how to seek shelter on the road or in a larger or small town if you find yourselves in tornado danger in your RV. Seems that tornados are becoming more frequent nowadays in the midwest and other different parts of the country. I know about weather radios, watching local TV weather reports and keeping an eye on approaching weather fronts on the horizon and getting out of Dodge before they hit.Any advice from those who have recent experiences?

Get behind weather systems that could bring tornadoes.

Most campgrounds in tornado prone areas will have some sort of shelter. Usually the restroom building, ask at the desk. It will help keep you safe but not your RV. Definitely pay attention to the weather forecasts/radio.

Thats about all we do is keep our NOAH WX ALERT radio fired up and watch alot of 24/7 OTA LOCAL AREA Natl Broadcast HDTV live radar using the BATWING Antenna when parked somewhere.It seems that any trailer RV or otherwise is a big magnet for Tornadoes...In our OFF-ROAD POPUP we will vacate the premises when the wind gets up to around 45-50MPH in the local area. The bath house is always the best spot to head for. We was standing in both MALE and FEMALE sides one night waiting for the storms to pass...Got to maintain awareness of the storms..Roy Ken

Watch a local TV station. They will show you the location of the storm and the projected path. You will have plenty of warning in time to move your rig to safety. I have lived in tornado alley for 76 years and have never seen a tornado. I would never go to California because of the earthquakes. :)

If you have a smart phone, get the Tornado app. Because it knows where you are by using cell towers it will send you an audible and visual warning of watches and more importantly warnings in your immediate area. Of course this only works where there is cellular service, but I am finding very few places now days that isn't covered. BTW it is a free app.:B

Tornados for Dummies | Good Sam Community

mlts22
Explorer
Jun 16, 2014
Tornadoes do more damage because they have a greater chance of hitting buildings and populated areas. If I were building a house in a rural area (tornadoes get dispersed by urban landscapes), I'd probably put in a safe room with two doors or a shelter with two hatches. That way, if the weather gets back, grab a bedroll, hit downstairs, and crash there for the night. If debris piles on one exit, you still have another way out.
bigdogger
Explorer II
Jun 15, 2014
bsinmich wrote:
I don't think tornadoes are any more common these days but they get a lot more coverage on national media. We didn't get much but a few black & white pictures during WWII. Today we see the fighting in real time in Afghanistan. News isn't any different, only quicker to report.
Winner, winner, chicken dinner! It reminds of when a few years back we had a potential tornado pass our rural home north of Dallas. The TV crews came out in force and filmed my neighbor's demolished out-buildings. It was the lead story on the evening news. Good thing he had decided to get rid of those buildings a few weeks earlier, otherwise the demolition crew he hired wouldn't have knocked then to the ground earlier that week. Pictures of buildings not damaged at all by a storm don't draw big ratings.
bsinmich
Explorer
Jun 15, 2014
I don't think tornadoes are any more common these days but they get a lot more coverage on national media. We didn't get much but a few black & white pictures during WWII. Today we see the fighting in real time in Afghanistan. News isn't any different, only quicker to report.
SCVJeff
Explorer
Jun 15, 2014
derh2o wrote:
SCVJeff--Oh, now I get it.
:)

Some of the humor around here gets pretty creative at times.
derh2o
Explorer
Jun 15, 2014
SCVJeff--Oh, now I get it.
SCVJeff
Explorer
Jun 14, 2014
derh2o wrote:
Oldud, Did you mean NOAA?
i think he said exactly what he meant...
derh2o
Explorer
Jun 14, 2014
Oldud, Did you mean NOAA?
Olddud
Explorer
Jun 14, 2014
RoyB wrote:
Thats about all we do is keep our NOAH---

Noah -- the ultimate forecaster.
Bordercollie
Explorer
Jun 14, 2014
Thanks for the replies, sounds like maybe you are better off in a rig', that can get out of the path, than sitting in a building IF you are aware of what is happening. Hail storms are also common and can ruin your day. Earthquakes in CA are no fun either but death tolls and total destruction, so far, have not been as bad as with widespread tornado action. As Roseanne Rosanna Danna said.....
Shadow_Catcher
Explorer
Jun 14, 2014
I have a Reecom weather radio with SAME technology, set for all alarms.

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