We don’t usually plan our trips to include the joys of bad weather. If we knew we would be spending our vacations taking cover, most likely we would reschedule. But storms occur throughout the year and is something we have to accept. This should prompt us to prepare for how storms can affect us when we’re traveling in our RVs.
- Use cell phone or TV to monitor the storm track and progress.
- Listen for warning sirens and take action.
- Disconnect your electrical power cord.
- If you are staying at an RV park and a storm is approaching - ask about severe storm sheltering.
- Are you parked under large trees? Check for dead branches and move if branches can fall and damage your RV!
- Check your site for chairs, tables, toys, BBQs etc. and secure them.
- Bring your animals inside during any bad weather.
- Get your emergency preparedness/first aid kit out.
- Make sure your outside storage doors are closed and locked.
- Retract your awning and make sure it’s securely fastened.
- Close and latch your windows.
- If you are going to evacuate, leave early.
- RVs can be blown over in high winds. They’re not the safest place to be. But if you have no alternative, try to stay in a hallway, or at least away from windows and cabinets that can fly open.
- If you pull or tow some experts say your vehicle is safer. Professor Schmidlin, at Kent State University, and his colleagues don't suggest cars are the safest places to be in a twister -- far from it. But they are better than a trailer.
- If you see lightning or hear thunder, stay inside.
- Unplug electronics like TVs, DVDs, computers, coffee pots, and so forth.
- Use cell phones and battery-powered devices.
- A battery-powered NOAA radio would be very useful.
- Watch for flooding.
