Tornados....what is your plan?

[jxnbbl]

We are from an area where we don't really worry about tornados. But our past trip to Florida was full of storms. Even on our return with the amount of water we have received in NH, our only worry was washed-out roads, could we get over the dirt road to our house...etc. Our friends were very helpful and 'scouted out' some of the problem areas for us before we ventured through them. BUT...one of our stops was Virginia Beach and on our last night a few miles away a tornado touched down. Of course, we know we don't stay in the trailer...but what do you do? Get to the cinderblock bath/laundry area? Call our kids and say goodbye?

Seeing some of your locations you must deal with this quite a bit. I can tell you what to do with snow but tornados? Clueless in NH.

[sourdough]

Tornados and RVs don't mix obviously. One would like to think there was something they could do about it but not really in an RV. Unlike other kinds of severe weather they don't give a lengthy warning period unless you're lucky enough to have one touch down a few miles from you and you are alerted in time to vacate - but that is very rare.

In most circumstances you really just need to hope/pray one isn't going to get you. You can go to a cinderblock bathhouse etc. any time a thunderstorm comes up but that's not really feasible, same goes for trying to leave the area. We stay at some places that have them and they tell you up front during bad weather season to go there but all they do is offer you a bit more protection than an RV. Although, if in tornado season and in tornado country you need to know where those places are in the off chance you do get a warning. You could have a weather radio and other means of notifications but they are no assurance that you will be notified. We live on the edge of our small town and I watched a tornado going across a cotton field about 1/2 mile out from us. We have a warning siren about 2 blocks from us....the siren never went off so....

Others will probably have their ideas but the best I can tell you is to be aware and vigilant of the weather because you really can't prepare the RV for anything like that

[JRTJH]

In our travels, it really depends on "where you are" and "what they have available"... In Kansas, many of the campgrounds had a brochure or signs at the registration desk that gave instructions on where to go "in the unlikely event of a tornado". Most also had signs on those "safe places" indicating they were the "designated tornado shelter". I think that in Kansas, there is a requirement that businesses have a "safe place" for patrons to shelter, but I'm not certain about it being a law or a recommendation....

In Arkansas, at the Tom Sawyer Campground, there was no tornado shelter, but there was an "evacuation route map" that was posted on the registration desk wall. It gave campers information on how to "escape the fury of the Mighty Mississippi" in the "unlikely event of river flooding"....

Across the river, in Mississippi, at the casino campgrounds (you can almost see Tom Sawyer campground) there's not even a hint of any emergency evacuation, although the river, in places, is above the ground level (behind a levy system)...

I'd suggest, during "tornado season" or during "flooding season" or during "hurricane season" that it's probably in your best interest to just ask the important questions when checking into the campground and "logging that info away in the gray matter" should an emergency arise.....

Most campgrounds do have a "dial 911 poster" in various locations, but they don't focus on emergencies as they view it as a "Debbie downer" for campers who are there "to have fun, not worry about emergencies".....

You are your own "best protector".....

[drrelli]

At the end on March this year, we were camping at McCormick’s Creek State Park in south central Indiana for our maiden voyage. We checked out on Friday morning to head home, and got the trailer put back into storage.

That evening, a really strong line of storms blew through the state. Numerous tornadoes, including an EF-3 that hit the state park and essentially destroyed the campground. The rangers has tried to notify campers about the coming storm and opened the cement block bathrooms, where most of the campers took shelter. Unfortunately, one couple remained in their camper (or wasn’t awoken) and both died.

We had met some full-timers during our stay, and they lost everything. Their camper looked like it had been sliced in two lengthwise, about four feet up the sidewalls, and the top simply cast away across the campsite, followed by three large trees falling on the lower remaking portion of the camper. Had we spent one extra night, a four foot diameter tree would have fallen right on our rig.

The campground is closed through September to try to clear it and rebuild it.

That (near) experience has convinced us that the RV is NOT the place to be when there are storms on the way. My best advice is to be ready and willing to take shelter in a permanent structure, to pay attention to weather apps/radios/sirens, and to know the name of the county you are camping in, along with nearby cities, because these are the things that are listed in warning messages.

[vampress_me]

We haven’t had to do this yet (knock on wood) while camping, but I have been known to ask at the front desk during check in where/ what to do if severe weather (straight line winds or a tornado). Every campground we’ve stayed at that I’ve asked has had a designated place to go, whether it was a basement in the main office building, or the concrete bathhouse. At that point, it’s no different than going to the basement (if you have one) at your house, or going to the most protected room in your house. Most of them have also stated that they come around and knock on camper doors if weather gets that bad. Do NOT think you can outrun a tornado in a vehicle either.

Honestly, if the weather does get that bad, I’m probably going to be on their doorstep before they come around. I do not like big storms. The one major thunderstorm/ straight line wind storm we were in in SD was enough for me in a camper. It’s amazing how much window glass can flex/ bow without shattering.

[locomech]

A weather radio is standard equipment in our camper, never leave home without one. I use an Oregon Scientific NOAA radio that I program to the county that I'll be camping in. I also have a 2m handheld radio that I use to monitor any local weather nets that are broadcasted over the amateur band. We have had to shelter in the concrete block shower houses on a couple of occasions.

I like to watch stormy weather and will often have the DW hollering at me to get in the house. Watching the lightning and clouds forming has always been a fascination of mine and I know that there is no safe place outside when it's lightning but I'm still drawn to it .

During stormy weather the most dangerous time is after dark when turning in for the night. The weather radio will start squawking so you wake up and take any necessary precautions. Here's a link for all kinds of weather info for each state https://www.weather.gov/nwr/counties

[jxnbbl]

Thanks...we do monitor the weather all the time and knew that there was a tornado watch....although surprised for Virginia Beach area. I guess the only option would have been the bathroom (about 50 yds away). Hurricanes, blizzards, etc we basically know what to do. Tornados not so much.

[Badbart56]

Tornadoes at night are what scares me. You can't avoid or run away from something that you can't see.

The trucking company my wife and I work for has explored the implementation of installing Lidar Weather Radar in our trucks to help us avoid areas of inclimate weather. I'm not very familiar with all of it's capabilities but I understand that it would have been very useful a couple of years ago when I drove into a tornado at 2:30 one morning in Nebraska.

Fortunately I guess it was a small tornado and we only caught a glancing blow, but I'll never forget it. It had been raining with lightning all night as I was westbound on I-80 but I don't recall getting any weather alerts on the weather radio app that is installed on our phones. But as I was travelling up a slight grade the wind noticeably shifted and the truck started shuddering. I slowed down to about 5 mph (no traffic behind me thankfully) and then a wall of horizontally spinning rain came right at us from the front left of the truck. I didn't even realize how loud it was but it was loud enough that it woke up my wife who was in the sleeper berth. She opened the curtain just in time to see it coming at us in the headlights. I told her to hold on to something, I was afraid we were going to get blown over. But it seemed to glance off the front left corner of the truck and it was gone, just as quickly as it came. I told my wife that I was glad it woke her up and she was able to see it, because I don't know that I could have explained it to her accurately.

We nick named the International ProStar truck we were driving "Orange Twist" after that night. Prayed a bit too.

[Kojac]

I live in South Central Oklahoma,90% of the time Tornadoes hit at night. About the only thing you can do is stay aware of the weather and make sure you have a weather alert radio that works on batteries. The local news stations are great until the electric goes out or rain fade with Dish/Direct TV satellite's happen. If one is coming your way and you know it get out of the trailer and seek alternate shelter if possible. At home I have a Safe Room and have only used it twice in last 24 yrs.

[wiredgeorge]

Makes me think of our nuke bomb training in grade school back in the 50s.... bend over and try to stick your head up where the sunshine ain't.

[Dacheedah]

I was always trained to look for a ditch or depression, get out of my squad car, in a ditch ( these events always happens when storming) face the weather event in the ditch laying face down with hands over your head. Places not to go include under an overpass where the wind concentration and flying debris are intensified. I would encourage anyone to subscribe to an app called Rapid SOS. You can enter your medical data and it will notify you when traveling if you are in or entering an area that has an active weather event warning. We use it at 9-1-1 to assist with callers locations and many centers use this app. The other App we use is What Three Words to determine location. Instead of using lat lon numbers, what three words uses three words. This works with google maps and other map programs, you can enter the words and search or guide to a location. Every 9' x 9' area on earth has a different set of words so if you are outdoors this can be very useful.

[Cbrez]

When we traveled out west we would ask about tornado shelters during check in. Many had underground shelters. You won’t find anything like that in Virginia Beach. You were extremely unfortunate that your stop coincided with a truly rare weather event in our area. Lived there all my life and never witnessed anything other than a few waterspouts.

I’m familiar with most of the.campgrounds in the area. Not only are the bath houses too small for the large number of campsites, they are so old they don’t meet current hurricane standards. IF the concrete block structure survived, I can’t imagine the roofs are properly strapped down and would stick around.

The tornado missed our house by 1/4 mile. We weren’t there, but if we were, our tornado plan is to crawl into a concrete drainage culvert next to the house. The culvert never flows water even during nor’easters, so I think we’d be ok. Not sure. If we were in say the Holiday Travel Park or KOA, I think I’d opt for the deepest ditch nearby.

[SR71 Jet Mech]

Been in Nebraska my whole life so am “used to” it.
That being said, most of us in the “alley” know what to watch and look for. Especially during the season. Always keep an eye on the weather and way ahead of time, get some storm spotter training. Even if it’s from YouTube. The best defense is being aware.
My wife and I are first responders and both trained spotters. We actually have events during the winter months and invite the public and teach them. CPR, first aid, storm spotting etc.
The more you understand the less scary and easier to prepare. Maybe this is available in your area?
I always look around campgrounds to see what’s available. This last weekend we were at a state park in Missouri, one little storm dropped a tornado 5 miles from us. The facility was a”storm shelter” but wasn’t hardened. In that case I watch radar and say 30 minutes before or longer we will drive away, wait and come back after. (When it’s safe)
Every RV should have an emergency radio capable of charging itself by crank, a little integrated solar cell or by some means “self powered “.
Injury is preventable, you just have to stay ahead of the danger. Be proactive and ready.

Scott

[jxnbbl]

thanks for the input. These classes are not in our area...but will be more aware the next time we travel.