Unless you have lived under a rock for past few weeks you have heard of Hurricane Harvey. And, now just two weeks later we are anxiously watching to see what impact Hurricane Irma is going to have on Florida and the east coast. As a major vacation destination, there are campgrounds for RVs scattered all around the state. That hits home with RV owners everywhere whether they are full-time RVers or enjoy the occasional vacation.
Hurricanes are somewhat predictable. We know the path they are likely to take. They do not just come up all of a sudden or move quickly. We usually have an idea of what to expect, although they can bring their own surprises. But, others storms don’t work quite like that. Lightning storms, hail, flash floods, and high winds can come unexpectedly. So, let’s use this situation to learn (or relearn) how to stay safe in your RV during times of severe weather.
Use Common Sense
Your RV can only withstand and keep you safe from so many things. Hurricanes and tornados are not one of them. The first piece of advice is one that no one else can do for you – use common sense. You need to be able to look at the situation and make a decision on what to do. You cannot rely on someone else to make the decision for you, or it will be too late.With hurricanes, you will typically have plenty of notice, with tornadoes not so much. Make sure every time you arrive at a new destination that you know where the shelter is and what the evacuation route is.
Make sure every time you arrive at a new destination that you know where the shelter is and what the evacuation route is. You can get this information from the campground you are staying at, or from the local police if you are not going to be in a campground. Do not try to ride out large storms in your RV. There are dangers from strong wind, flooding rains, and falling limbs.
Take Lightning Seriously
It does not need to be raining for lightning to be a danger. Instead, you need to listen for thunder. If you can hear thunder you could be in danger of being struck by lightning. Many people underestimate this fact. If you hear thunder you need to seek shelter inside of your RV or a structure. Do your best to eliminate touching any exposed metal as you seek shelter.
If you want additional tips on how to make sure your RV is in a lightning storm here is a good resource.
Take Flash Flood Watches Seriously
We have all seen the pictures of people trapped on the roof of their house while the flood waters rise around them. You do not have the same ability when you are in your RV. Flash floods came come quickly and with little warning. If you do receive a flash flood warning for your area then you need to get to higher ground immediately. This usually means that you are not able to take your RV with you because of the time it can take to be ready to leave. Your RV is not worth your life, so take flooding seriously.
Know Where You Are
This might seem obvious, but if you are doing a lot of traveling you may know what city you are near, but not what county you are in. Make sure that you know which county you are in so you will know when there is a severe weather watch or warning in your area. The warnings will do you no good if you are unsure if they apply to you or not. Each time you setup camp know where you are.
Download a Weather App
Updated technology gives us a big advantage over campers of the past. Use your smart phone or other devices to download a weather app. Here is a list of some of the best weather apps for you to choose from. Make sure you use an app that will alert you if there is the potential for a weather threat moving into your area. These notifications are loud and will wake you from your sleep should the situation arise at night.
We love RVing near the ocean. There are beautiful views and salt in the air. We love using these campgrounds to connect with nature. There are plenty of campgrounds like these in California and other coastal states. But, when staying there you have to be smart. Remember that as nice as your RV is, it is a small portable house. It cannot withstand the winds and flooding rains that come from a hurricane. In other areas, you need to watch for strong winds, tornados, flooding, and hail.
If you have any question if the storm is going to be too much for you to safely ride out in your RV, then don’t. If you have plenty of advanced notice then leave. That’s the nice part of an RV, you can pack up and go. If the storm is too close, get into a shelter and stay safe. It’s much more important to live another day to enjoy life in your RV. Your RV can be replaced, but you cannot. Stay safe and happy RVing.
Be smart, stay safe and happy RVing.
