Western severe storms

[WDW]

So how do you handle severe storms or just warnings at CGs. Do you abandon your RV and shelter in their storm building? Is it probably the facility building?

I was watching weather central tonight and this question came up of preparedness.

Do you unhook your power ? Pull your slides in? Do you keep a go bag?

Curios about others experiences.

[NLOVNIT]

We've been through a tornado warning at a CG. Having been keeping an eye on the sky & weather radar, we had already rolled up the awning, put away all chairs/tables & brought the slides in. We shut off the breaker at the pedestal & turned off the water on our way to the bath house (CG storm shelter) for safety until the all clear was given by the park. All we took with us were our wallet/purse, cell phones & RV keys.

If there is a possibility of severe weather, it's always a good idea to ask the park manager for their procedure if they aren't already posted somewhere on a bulletin board on in the park rules.

Lori-

[vsheetz]

A hospital is often a storm shelter it can direct you to one.

[keymastr]

We don't often get tornadoes out west here, more of a mid-west thing. We do get the occasional mudslide and frequently can get high winds. Usually if they have an inkling that something is coming the ranger or host will let you know what the best plan is.

[mwwade]

Their is no safe place except underground,or a above the ground tornado shelter. One of the first things I do when camping during stormy weather is check out the safest place to go during a severe storm. I have noticed more campgrounds are building their bathrooms with double thick walls, this would help for protection. The main thing I do is keep tuned to the local tv station for the latest update on severe weather. I also keep a weather radio in my Rv. The reporters have come a long way in alerting the public for severe weather. The main thing is to have a plan, don't get caught not knowing what to do, or where to go. Make your Rv storm ready. Put away everything, and lock all the storage doors. Close all your windows, turn off your propane. If possible turn your Rv into the direction of the wind. Don't stay in your Rv. Or vehicle, it's not safe. The weather forecast is for possible severe weather for later in the week for Ok. This was forecast 4-5 days ago. Believe me, we are already on alert.

[Smitty77]

Never hurts to be prepared, and as always keeping in tune to 'situational awareness' of events going on around you. (Not always weather related, as forrest fires, and in this crazy world who knows what else...).

We consider ourselves rookies. But we've had about four or five close enough encounters that we take things seriously, and learned quickly as we needed to.

Suggest (For Tornado's/Hurricanes/Micro Cells/Hail/Flooding/Ice and or Blizzard like storms, and even severe heat waves, etc.):
-Know the county your in (Warnings come via County names.)
-Load weather app alerts (Weatherbug, Weather.com, NOAA, etc.)
-Buy a weather radio with built in alert. Crank is a good idea for back up power.
-When checking into a campground or RV Park, familiarize yourself with your area. (Are you on the scenic edge of creek/river that may flood? Are you in the low part of a campground that could flood in heavy rains? Where is the storm shelter area? What are alternate routes of evacuation if needed? Etc.)
-If you get a Tornado or Severe Thunderstorm/Hail warning or Microcell Warning. Do pull in slides, put outside things away. Do unplug your unit, and put your cord away. But only do any of this - if you have time. Get to the place of shelter that is designated.
-We do have a 'Bug out bag.' ready. Snacks, dog food, bottles of water, a few days of medication (As needed.), scotch (Not really - but dang we wanted some a few times!.
--- I'll stop hear, as different areas need different prep... ---

Keep and eye on things around you, and be prepared. Heck we've changed routes while traveling before. (From San Diego to Indy 500 for the 100th running last year. And we altered our course three times to avoid Tornado Alley during a week or so of bad outbreaks.) That being said, common sense, and being prepared, and willing to not be stubborn and change plans as needed - will usually help you avoid even getting into serious situations.

And I expect many others will have more experience input then I gave. I'll read along. And I encourage you to search some to, as these kinds of posts have happened before...

Best to you, and all,
Smitty

[biggcrisp]

Here in the Midwest, we go outside and watch the storm pass by...up in Canada, they break out the lawnmower and carry-on.

Seriously though, storm paths are narrow and unless you are in the direct-path it's just rain.

If you are in the direct-path, have the women and children take cover in the safest place possible. The odds of being in the direct-path are extremely low.

Flame suit on for all of the drama queens!

[memtb]

In the near future we may get a few interesting reports from Wyoming. As many already know, We had a little front move through with some, snow/rain, and wind. We had at least 5 tornados yesterday/last night (unusual for us) and many rather intense thunder storms (we had a little, though large hail here at home). The Big Horns had several storm alerts, so I'm sure that some campers had an experience to remember. Hopefully just takes to tell and no injuries or damage!

[MSHappyCampers]

When we go to a new area we ask about available storm shelters. If no public shelters are available we look for the next safest place, such as public buildings with basements, etc. As a last resort we will go to the CG bath houses. Anything is safer than an RV!

[RV_Fan33]

I agree about always asking about storm shelters.

[WDW]

Originally Posted by biggcrisp

Here in the Midwest, we go outside and watch the storm pass by...up in Canada, they break out the lawnmower and carry-on.

Seriously though, storm paths are narrow and unless you are in the direct-path it's just rain.

If you are in the direct-path, have the women and children take cover in the safest place possible. The odds of being in the direct-path are extremely low.

Flame suit on for all of the drama queens!

LOL - that's us with snow here in Western New York.
Some folks in different parts of the country get 1 inch or even 6 to 12 inches and the world comes to a screeching halt. Here we break out the barbecue grill and cook our hotdogs and smile, it's still shorts and T-shirt weather!

[Scottybdivin]

We were passing though OK a few years back during one of their really bad outbreak years. We found a RV park near Ardmore Hidden Lake that advertised a large storm shelter. It swayed our decision and we have stayed there several times since.

[smlranger]

The only time we actually were in the path of a tornado was at James Island County Park in Charleston, SC. It passed nearby down Folly Road. We took shelter in one of the bath houses. A Charleston PD car drove thru the RV park with sirens blaring and announcing that all campers should take cover immediately.

We were in Altoona, IA when the tornado sirens sounded late at night. There was no active tornado warning but the alarm was given due to high straight line winds associated with a storm. We again took shelter in a bath house.

More recently we were in Bradenton, FL when there was a tornado warning saying the tornado was 1/2 mile from our RV park. We and our camping neighbors headed to the only building in the RV park which was the office building that housed the laundromat, kitchen, community room. We were refused entry by the owners with our dogs. They said we could come in but we had to leave our dogs outside. So we and our neighbors took our dogs and drove to a nearby convenience store. There was interesting discussion the next morning with the RV park owner. She said they just could not allow dogs in the building even in an emergency. She did collect, at my suggestion, information on local schools in the area that serve as storm shelters. However, they open when there are hurricanes in the area and no one opens them for the rare Florida tornado.

So, as noted, get a weather alert radio, know your location (county, city), ask about storm shelters when checking in.

[biker art]

Originally Posted by smlranger

The only time we actually were in the path of a tornado was at James Island County Park in Charleston, SC. It passed nearby down Folly Road. We took shelter in one of the bath houses. A Charleston PD car drove thru the RV park with sirens blaring and announcing that all campers should take cover immediately.

We were in Altoona, IA when the tornado sirens sounded late at night. There was no active tornado warning but the alarm was given due to high straight line winds associated with a storm. We again took shelter in a bath house.

More recently we were in Bradenton, FL when there was a tornado warning saying the tornado was 1/2 mile from our RV park. We and our camping neighbors headed to the only building in the RV park which was the office building that housed the laundromat, kitchen, community room. We were refused entry by the owners with our dogs. They said we could come in but we had to leave our dogs outside. So we and our neighbors took our dogs and drove to a nearby convenience store. There was interesting discussion the next morning with the RV park owner. She said they just could not allow dogs in the building even in an emergency. She did collect, at my suggestion, information on local schools in the area that serve as storm shelters. However, they open when there are hurricanes in the area and no one opens them for the rare Florida tornado.

So, as noted, get a weather alert radio, know your location (county, city), ask about storm shelters when checking in.

Kick the woman out and let the dogs in. No way would I leave the dog or cat outside.