Tornado Safety

sdianel wrote:
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.