Severe Weather while RVing

May 4, 6:20 PMRV Travel ExaminerKeith Bennett

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It is that time of year when the change in seasons gives us severe weather and in some parts of our country, devastating tornados.  Very recently a tornado in TN hit an RV park. WMSV in Nashville gives us this report and picture:

Travel trailers at the Thousand Trails Campground were damaged by trees that were blown down. Some campers who lost their camping equipment in the storm said they were thankful to have survived the strong storm. The park is located just south of Hohenwald. 

If you RV in rough weather you MUST have a weather radio.  The technology has improved and there are now over 1,000 broadcast stations for weather and emergency alerts.  The weather radios can tell you what type of alert and can filter alerts and give you only those for your area.  This is known as S.A.M.E.  After buying an NWR SAME receiver, you must program your county, parish or independent city or marine area into the radio. Do NOT program your radio for a louder or a clearer station that is not designated as a SAME channel. You will not receive alert. Your NWR will then alert you only of weather and other emergencies for the county(s)/ area(s) programmed. NWR receivers without the SAME capability alert for emergencies anywhere within the coverage area of the NWR transmitter, typically several counties, even though the emergency could be well away from the listener. S.A.M.E. codes are located HERE.

When an NWS office broadcasts a warning, watch or non-weather emergency, it also broadcasts a digital SAME code that may be heard as a very brief static burst, depending on the characteristics of the receiver. This SAME code contains the type of message, county(s) affected, and message expiration time.  A programmed NWR SAME receiver will turn on for that message, with the listener hearing the 1050 Hz warning alarm tone as an attention signal, followed by the broadcast message.
At the end of the broadcast message, listeners will hear a brief digital end-of-message static burst followed by a resumption of the NWR broadcast cycle.

For $30.00 you can get a weather radio like this, which is pretty cheap insurance on your safety.  The radio has these features: 

Monitors all seven NOAA emergency alert weather channels
Monitors civil emergency alerts
Features SAME technology allowing you to localize weather alerts
Affordable and easily transportable yet can also be used in the home or office
Electro-luminescent blue backlighting makes for easy low-light and night viewing
Operates on either batteries or using AC power adapter
SAME technology allows you to filter out non-local emergency alerts
Receives NOAA warnings of severe weather and environmental dangers
Also receives National Weather Radio broadcasts of local forecasts and regional conditions
Stand-by mode monitors three levels of alert: advisory, watch and warning
Includes LCD display with digital time and date functions
Attractive silver radio case features black trim
Matching desktop cradle included
Small, light and durable emergency alert weather radio
Reception range of up to 40 miles
Stand-by function ends when alert is received, triggering 100-decibel audio alarm and visual alerts
Includes crescendo alarm function and an 8-minute snooze alarm
Pressing the snooze alarm bar activates backlight for 10 seconds
Water and shock resistant case makes the weather radio perfect for outdoor use
Low battery warning icon
Belt-clip and stand options for use at home or on the go
7.5 volt 350mA AC power adapter included
Requires 3 AA 1.5V alkaline batteries (not included)
One-year manufacturer warranty 
 

When you visit an RV park, know where to go for shelter and regardless of the size and weight of your rig, do not be fooled into thinking that it can withstand mother nature's force.  When you are traveling with or in your RV, be aware and think ahead.  If things are starting to look nasty start thinking about where you might find shelter and what you will do if things get bad in a hurry.

As noted by fellow Examiner writer, Tony Hake, the guidelines from Red Cross and National Weather Service are now at odds and you should read Tony's article and see the posted pictures to understand which guideline will give you the best chance of survival.  Tony's article may be read here. An excerpt shows the confusion:

The new guidelines from the Red Cross say:

If you are caught outdoors, seek shelter in a basement, shelter, or sturdy building. If you cannot get to shelter, a recent study* suggests doing the following:
Get into a vehicle, buckle your seat belt, and try to drive at right angles to the storm movement and out of the path.  If strong winds and flying debris occur while you are driving, pull over and park, keeping seat belts on and the engine running. Put your head down below the windows, covering with your hands and a blanket if possible.
 

Compare this to the guidelines from the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center:

Vehicles are extremely dangerous in a tornado. If the tornado is visible, far away, and the traffic is light, you may be able to drive out of its path by moving at right angles to the tornado. Otherwise, park the car as quickly and safely as possible -- out of the traffic lanes. [It is safer to get the car out of mud later if necessary than to cause a crash.] Get out and seek shelter in a sturdy building. If in the open country, run to low ground away from any cars (which may roll over on you). Lie flat and face-down, protecting the back of your head with your arms.

Like so many things we do, they can be safe if we give a little thought to the subject and prepare accordingly.  Technology has brought us some great tools and all we have to do is use these tools.  Get a weather radio and know what to do if you find yourself in a severe weather situation. 

 Happy & Safe Camping

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