Community Forums

SteveSkinner · 02-29-2012, 01:53 PM

As an Aussie who's never seen a severe tornado, firstly how do you avoid them
Second, if you happen to be sleeping and one comes thru like the other night, will a 40ft dp be a safe place to be.
We start our trip next week through Arkansas, Tennessee, and up to Washington then back thru Illinois.

Ramblin · 02-29-2012, 02:06 PM

You do not want to be anywhere other than a sturdy structure when tornados are nearby. A direct hit by a tornado will shred your 40' DP into pieces the size of matchsticks and spread them over a 10 mile swath. My suggestion is to watch weather forecasts and avoid areas where tornados are possible. Failling that, go get a room in a hotel and hope for the best.

Doghauler · 02-29-2012, 02:10 PM

1. Weather radio and luck
2. The worst place is in your motorhome
Look for some form of storm shelter to be as safe as possible! Your campground owner should know the best options.

Rook · 02-29-2012, 02:20 PM

I'm from Alabama and I know what Tornadoes are all about. I was in a direct hit last April and survived......in a basement There is NO sure way to survive a direct hit......your best chance is to be below ground level in a sturdy structure and pray. Your BEST warning device is to get a good AC/Battery weather radio with programmable county codes and set it for the location you are in when you travel and especially where you spend the night. When you get a warning alarm, get out of your MH ASAP and head for a structure nearby that has a BASEMENT. Don't wait! Rook

jzick · 02-29-2012, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveSkinner

As an Aussie who's never seen a severe tornado, firstly how do you avoid them
Second, if you happen to be sleeping and one comes thru like the other night, will a 40ft dp be a safe place to be.
We start our trip next week through Arkansas, Tennessee, and up to Washington then back thru Illinois.

First, remember that your chances of being in a tornado are very small. Storm profiles are small in area. When you begin your trip find a good weather radio and learn how to use it. US television stations are obsessed with weather reporting so, if you have tv you can spot the storms. Also weather websites like Weather Forecast & Reports - Long Range & Local | Wunderground : Weather Underground have excellent radar.

Find where the nearest shelter is - as others have said look for sturdy buildings, not your motorhome. If you think a storm is coming, head for the shelter. Be aware. Be informed. But do not be paranoid. You are probably in more danger driving down the highway. Enjoy your trip.

Dano52 · 02-29-2012, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jzick

First, remember that your chances of being in a tornado are very small. Storm profiles are small in area. When you begin your trip find a good weather radio and learn how to use it. US television stations are obsessed with weather reporting so, if you have tv you can spot the storms. Also weather websites like Weather Forecast & Reports - Long Range & Local | Wunderground : Weather Underground have excellent radar.

Find where the nearest shelter is - as others have said look for sturdy buildings, not your motorhome. If you think a storm is coming, head for the shelter. Be aware. Be informed. But do not be paranoid. You are probably in more danger driving down the highway. Enjoy your trip.

Ditto

jabfado · 02-29-2012, 06:28 PM

Every Tornado State has an Early Warning Whistle in most all Cities and also there will be 24 hour a day Tornado following on all local tv channels. If you don't have access to a celler find a ditch and get in it.

baraff · 02-29-2012, 06:33 PM

We bought one of these:
Amazon.com: MIDLAND HH50 Pocket Weather Radio: Electronics
Inexpensive, simple and it saved our butts (bums?) last year in Florida while we were driving across the state.
It's not programmable and broadcasts all weather alerts, but if you're driving or parked overnight, you probably want as much advance warning as you can get.

Bee950 · 02-29-2012, 07:32 PM

Watch this and decide for yourself if you want to be in a 40 foot box

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43VoMesUd2Q

62_inrightlane · 02-29-2012, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rook

I'm from Alabama and I know what Tornadoes are all about. I was in a direct hit last April and survived......in a basement There is NO sure way to survive a direct hit......your best chance is to be below ground level in a sturdy structure and pray. Your BEST warning device is to get a good AC/Battery weather radio with programmable county codes and set it for the location you are in when you travel and especially where you spend the night. When you get a warning alarm, get out of your MH ASAP and head for a structure nearby that has a BASEMENT. Don't wait! Rook

This is great advice!

Now the probability of you actually having to run for cover is not high, but you do have to be aware of the weather and be ready to move to save shelter immediatly upon a tornado warning.