RV living is pretty awesome most of the time. It allows us to save money on living costs while also seeing and doing things that we otherwise would not be able to afford. That said, there are some downsides to living in an RV. Right now, one of the biggest cons is dealing with severe weather. Specifically, tornadoes.
Currently, we’re set up near some of our family in Oklahoma City, right in the middle of Tornado Alley. During most parts of the year, this isn’t an issue, but right now, it’s springtime and that means we have to be hyper vigilant in order to ensure we stay safe as we navigate RVing during tornado season in a tornado-prone place.
The good news? We aren’t new to this and we know the drill. Here’s what we do when we end up RVing during tornado season in Tornado Alley.
When and Where Tornadoes Strike
First, it’s important to understand when and where tornadoes typically occur. If you can travel wherever you choose, having this information will allow you to avoid tornadoes for the most part, which should be the goal if at all possible.
Typically, these types of severe storms pop up during the springtime—usually in April and May, but sometimes into early June. We have seen tornadoes at other times of year (there was one in Oklahoma in the fall last year), but these are few and far between.
The states that see the most tornadoes include Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. However, Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, South Dakota, Nebraska, and other nearby states are also tornado-prone. If you can, avoiding this part of the country during the spring is a good call.
Tornado Risks for RVers
If you can’t avoid Tornado Alley during April and May, that’s okay! In that case, just make sure to be weather-aware and have a good, solid plan in place.
This is important because RVs are not solid structures and can be destroyed by the smallest tornado in an instant. Because of this, you absolutely do not want to ride out a tornado in your RV.
In fact, according to NOAA data, mobile homes and RVs account for a disproportionately high number of tornado-related deaths. Between 1998 and 2007, about 44% of all tornado fatalities occurred in manufactured homes (which includes RVs and mobile homes), even though only 6% of the U.S. population lives in them.
Preparing for RVing During Tornado Season
So how do we prepare for RVing during tornado season? There are a handful of things you’ll want to prep and consider.
Route Planning
As mentioned above, it’s best to avoid tornado-prone areas entirely if you can. That said, sometimes you will find that you have to travel through Tornado Alley in the spring.
In this case, make sure your plans are flexible so you can stay in one spot longer if needed to avoid stormy weather. My family has done this on more than one occasion and we’ve never regretted it.
Emergency Kit Essentials
Packing a “bug out” bag of emergency gear is a must when spending time in Tornado Alley, especially if you’re in an RV. This is the bag you’ll take with you when you seek shelter from the storm. It should include a weather radio, first aid gear, a flashlight, an external battery for your phone, important documents and medications, bottles of water, and some snacks. We keep this bag near the door in the spring.
Understanding Warning Systems
Many people don’t understand the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning, and therefore don’t know how to react to the various alerts. Essentially, a tornado watch just means the conditions are right for a tornado and one could pop up. A warning, on the other hand, means a tornado has been spotted and you need to seek shelter immediately.
Make sure you have multiple weather alert apps downloaded on your phone and allow push notifications on each. Pay attention to the weather forecast, and if any of your apps tells you to seek shelter, do so immediately.
Some of the apps I keep on my phone include:
I also allow the built-in weather alerts to push through on my phone.
Finding Safe Shelter
Any time we arrive at a new campground, we make sure to locate a storm shelter. I recommend you do the same.
In many Tornado Alley campgrounds, we have found dedicated tornado shelters. That said, these aren’t always available. In this case, I recommend asking the campground staff where you should seek shelter in case of a tornado. Sometimes a campground might have a cinder block bathhouse that is sturdy enough to serve as a shelter. You can also do a Google search for public shelters nearby.
What to Do During a Tornado Warning
Even if we do all of the right prep work, we all still hope we don’t have to experience a tornado warning. That said, if the tornado sirens do go off, you will want to make sure every member of your family has shoes on, grab your “bug out” bag, and head to the shelter immediately. If the shelter has windows, move away from those—and if possible, cover yourselves with pillows or a mattress.
If you’re on the road during a tornado warning, pull over at a sturdy truck stop or rest stop and run inside, putting as many walls between you and the outside as possible. If no buildings are nearby, pull over and lay in a ditch or a culvert.
You do not want to stay in the RV during a tornado warning. You also don’t want to park under an overpass, as this can be more dangerous than parking in the open.
After the Storm
Once the storm has passed, you will need to assess the damage. Tell kids and seniors to wait in the shelter. Put shoes on and head outside to visually inspect for damage. Make sure to stay far away from downed power lines and avoid going into damaged buildings or RVs.
If damage or injuries are discovered, call emergency services. You will also want to take dated photographs for insurance purposes. Of course, it’s also important to call loved ones to let them know the situation.
Fortunately, we’ve never actually had a tornado pass over us, so this is not something I have first-hand experience with, but these are the things we are told to do.
It’s true that tornadoes aren’t something you want to mess with, especially while in an RV. That said, it is still 100% possible to enjoy RVing during tornado season. We’ve spent many springs in Oklahoma and we keep choosing to do so.
Just take the necessary steps to be prepared, pay attention to the weather, and take shelter as soon as a warning is issued, and you’ll be just fine!
