Recently, six tornadoes touched down in San Antonio and caused over 100 million dollars of destruction, including damaging over 150 homes, leading to Mayor Ivy Taylor to seek a disaster declaration from Gov. Greg Abbott.
Tornadoes are not only a threat to homeowners; they also pose a potential threat to RV drivers in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. This danger begs the questions: what is the safest protocol for RV drivers to protect themselves against a tornado?
Tips for Tornado Protection
First, it is important to note that an RV is not a safe place to stay if there is a tornado in the area. With a normal home, we are often advised to find refuge in an area like a basement; however, RVs cannot provide this type of protection. Therefore, you must find another source of shelter during tornado outside of your RV.
Finding shelter while avoiding any incoming tornadoes will not be difficult if you have the following items:
- A functioning radio to provide live updates on whether there is a tornado warning in your area.
- A map to allow you to track tornadoes in order to make a safe route in order to avoid potential tornadoes. Make sure to practice reading maps in order to find your location and compare it to the distance of tornadoes.
- A fully charged cell phone to use for emergency purposes.
These three items are extremely vital for every RV driver in order to avoid tornadoes. If you do not have a radio, for example, available, there are other tell tale signs of tornadoes. If you see a dark, turbulent sky with large hail and hear a noise that sounds like a loud roar, you are in imminent danger and must find safety.
Remember; always try to seek shelter when you are in a threatening area. DO NOT TRY TO OUTRUN A TORNADO IN AN RV.
The smartest option is to find an RV park to leave your motor home and then find shelter. A number of parks offer storm shelter for RV drivers’ protection. For example, Lafon’s RV Parks in North Dallas, Texas and Lake Posada RV Park in Fort Worth offer storm shelter for RV drivers and should be marked on every owner’s maps of the Dallas area. Make sure to call ahead of time to make sure they have available room for you and your RV.
The preparation does not end when you find the shelter. When you find shelter, remember to bring:
- Water
- Radio
- Flashlight
- Cellphone
- Extra Batteries
- Jacket or Rain Gear
If you take any medication, make sure to bring it with you as well because there is no timetable for your stay. Make sure you have all the necessary items needed to remain safe.
If you are in the worst-case scenario of finding yourself in a situation where you cannot make a safe route to an RV park, your best option is to abandon your RV and find the closest available shelter.
Now, we understand the decision to abandon your RV can be extremely difficult – even near impossible. But, we must stress that even if you tie your RV down, it offers little protection for you during a tornado. You and your family’s safety is the number one priority in this situation.
If you find yourself with tornado damage to your RV, click the link below to set up an appointment. We provide an unparalleled service in RV repair and customization, and with our extensive knowledge of the type of storms that hit the Dallas / Fort Worth area, we can provide the best repairs for tornado damage.