TORNADO SAFETY FOR RVING
By The CrossRoads Team | July 11, 2018
As RV'ers we like to think we can avoid bad weather just by driving away from it but occasionally, tornadoes develop so rapidly that avoiding them is not possible. If you are RVing in areas where tornadoes are possible remain alert for severe thunderstorms and signs of an approaching tornado. The thoughts below and your common sense should get you and your RV through the bad weather.
You should have a weather radio with SAME technology. The National Weather Service continuously broadcasts updated weather warnings and forecasts. Weather Radios are sold in many stores.
The NWS tracks rotating winds within thunderstorms with radar and can then issue warnings before a tornado is formed. Early detection of increasing rotation aloft within a thunderstorm can allow life-saving warnings to be issued before the tornado forms.
- • Keep calm. Chances are good that your RV won't be hit by a tornado, but the possibility does exist, so being calm and prepared can save your life.
- • Have a map of the area where you are, so you may be able to track the approaching tornado from information on weather bulletins.
- • Be aware of developing thunderstorms and warm, moist air with cold weather fronts moving eastward.
- • If you're actually on the road do not even think that your RV can out drive or out run a tornado headed your way.
- • Your RV offers little protection from tornadoes and should be abandoned.
- • Get out of your RV and seek shelter...in or behind a concrete building or in a ditch along the road.
- • Check with the manager of the RV Park. Find out if there is a storm shelter. Or scout the area to find the spot where you will head for safety if the weather deteriorates.
- • If an underground shelter is not available, move to an interior room of the RV park's club house or into a concrete restroom building.
- • Stay away from windows. Flying debris from tornadoes causes most deaths and injuries.
- • Whenever there are bad weather signs be sure your cell phone is charged.
- • After it has passed if you were in or near its path be alert for downed power lines.
