Tornadoes while RVing

[ThaOpenRoad]

So we all know the USA gets a lot of twisters. Ever see that movie...Into The Storm? Well if you're in a RV and a tornado hits you get could be injured or even killed. Even from a weak EF0 or EF1. Nevermind the EF4 or EF5 monsters. There was a RV park in Louisiana that was hit by a tornado last year, a few people died. And tornado season is almost upon us. A RV is pretty much no match to any size tornado. It will rip the rig apart like it's nothing. But some areas of the USA get more twisters than other parts. So if you're traveling in tornado prone areas be careful.

STATES WITH THE MOST TORNADOES
- Florida
- Oklahoma
- Kansas
- Mississippi
- Iowa
- Louisiana
- Illinois
- Alabama
- Indiana
- Maryland

STATES WITH THE LEAST TORNADOES
- Alaska
- Nevada
- Oregon
- Utah
- Washington
- Arizona
- Idaho
- California
- Montana
- Maine

What do you think?

[Veebyes]

Travelling these days with a smartphone & access to all kinds of weather apps there should be no big problem in avoiding storms if you are on the road. The storm is not going to change its course to avoid you so best to determine where it is & which way it is going & change your route accordingly.

A few years ago we were eastbound on a highway & found a nasty thunderstorm on the same track behind us. No way to outrun it so best action was to sidestep it. We got off at the next decent sized exit & drove north about 20 miles, found a big empty carpark with room to reposition to face the wind if necessary & waited.

Watched the storm roar by to the south of us headed east then went back the 20 miles & continued on our way east following the storm this time.

If you are standing on train tracks & see a train coming, step aside.

Not much you can do about the situation if you find yourself in a CG with a storm approaching. Collect all of your valuable papers etc. & some food & drink supplies in a ditch bag & be prepared to abandon the trailer for a predetermined safer place in the CG.

[Desert_Captain]

We went coast to coast in our 24' Class C crossing Tornado Alley (I-40}, in early May and returning {by a slightly different route}, the end of June. I constantly monitored several different weather sites on the internet and was able to dodge a number of severe storms.

Sometimes we had to re route to stay out of harms way and no we were not always 100 per cent successful. I worry about hail damage almost as much as tornados as it is much more prevalent. Always know where the nearest shelter is and have escape routes pre loaded into your GPS.

:C

[ThaOpenRoad]

jnharley wrote:
Indiana (state on the list)

Google the Evansville, Indiana tornado of November 2005. That one killed 24 when it struck a mobile home park. Or google the March 2012 Henryville, Indiana twister. That was an EF4 that killed 11. Several mobile trailers were destroyed by that one.

[traveylin]

As a first time poster, you should also be aware that rv'ers may occasionally have an opinion.

[past-MIdirector]

I now have a weather APP on my phone that gives instant weather alerts no matter were we are. Since phone is always on it sends a different tone when a warning comes in!!Have been parked when a warning came ineveryone went to the bathrooms.

[JIMNLIN]

Being from Oklahoma its not just a tornado that we watch for but 70-100 mph straight line winds from a dry line storm front or a collapsing thunderhead in the area.

[Captain_Happy]

While I was up camp hosting in Utah last summer there where at least 2 confirmed tornados, which kind of rare. I think they EF-1

[Captain_Happy]

While I was up camp hosting in Utah last summer there where at least 2 confirmed tornados, which kind of rare. I think they RF-1

[Biker1mike]

Sometimes it just happens
In a tent, not on either list, and confirmed tornado touched down in park. No one killed but several ruined campers.
My friends wife has not been in a tent since then. Late 70's.

In a class C in Florida and water spout hit camp ground. Rock and roll.

No warning on either event. Life happens.

[jnharley]

Have a weather radio. Yes, apps on phones are nice as long as you have phone service but I know that there are places in Indiana (state on the list) that have no or poor cell service.

[gbopp]

Welcome to the forum. That's a very interesting first post.

I think most RVers are aware of the dangers from a tornado and other storms.

But, thanks for the reminder, it may save someone's bacon.. 🙂

[Second_Chance]

Deleted.

[traveylin]

Welcome to the rv.net forum and your first post, storms and winds are a great problem. I tend to stay away from North texas, ok, Missouri during the spring months

[sdianel_-acct_c]

Thanks for the info! We keep our weather radio on all the time. When we arrive at our destination we scan for the clearest channel. We watch the weather a week ahead and will change our plans if we can to avoid the severe weather. Even straight line winds can be deadly in an RV. We were in Cincinnati and the straight line wind was 90 mph and snapped a huge pine tree like a toothpick! When we arrive at our campground we find out what county we're in since the forecasts say the county not necessarily the city. We always ask the campground office where the storm shelters are located. We have even packed a bag and left the RV and drove to another town because there was no safe shelter at the campground. Know the difference between a watch and a warning. Warning means take shelter immediately. Don't hesitate. Sometimes you only have minutes to get to a shelter. The places where we have had to evacuate the RV: Florida, Oklahoma, Ohio, Missouri. Better be safe than sorry.

[Old-Biscuit]

Been there.done that

No shirt but one heck of a time





1st post is a 'public service message'
Different to say the least