5 Critical RV Bad Weather Tips (from RV Lifestyle)
RVers need to follow these RV bad weather tips when severe storms are in the forecast…(by Mike Wendland - RV Lifestyle)
Everyone,
Since there’s been a lot of very bad storms lately, I’ve been thinking about best practices to keep you and your family safe while driving or camping. Here’s a great article that just posted by Mike Wendland from RV Lifestyle titled 5 Critical RV Bad Weather Tips (Based on Firsthand Experience). With his permission I’m reposting parts 2 and 3 of his top 5 tips below along with a link to the entire article. - Mike Sokol
Take it away, Mike Wendland…
2. Create An Emergency List and Kit
As an RVer, you should have an emergency kit to sustain you and your family for 72 hours. Below, I have listed ideas for supplies to include in your kit and things to take to the RV to get ready for bad weather.
Get an emergency crank-up weather radio that will work without batteries. We have this one from Midland Radio. It has lots of bells and whistles like a flashlight, an ultrasonic dog whistle, NOAA weather scanning, and AM and FM radio.
Stock up on gas, propane, and water. It is essential to have gas or propane to run your RV generator.
Ensure that you have enough clean water in your tank for each family member, your pets, and basic hygiene for 72 hours. (Keep reading for a second reason to fill your fresh water tank….)
Have fresh batteries on hand for all your flashlights.
Store enough non-perishable food to feed your family and pets for at least 72 hours. Freeze bottles of water to place in your RV fridge to keep perishable food cold for a few extra days.
Have supplies to build a fire, especially if you do not have a grill.
Charge your phone and laptops. Purchase a USB battery and also keep that charged.
3. Create a Go Bag
You may need to leave your campsite quickly. Have a To-Go Emergency Bag, aka a “go bag”, packed and easy to grab.
Here are a few ideas to include in your personal bag:
Snacks and bottled water, including pet food
Copies of important family papers, including those for your pet, and medical records
Your laptop and phone, chargers and back-up batteries
A paper list of significant phone numbers and how to reach your emergency contact
72 hours of any prescription drugs and hygiene items
An extra pair of glasses
As we said, be prepared to cover your basic needs for 72 hours as you wait for assistance to arrive. Or be ready to grab the To-Go Bag as you evacuate your campsite.
Back to me…
Thanks, Mike Wendland.
If you have enough warning time to get out of town in your RV, then you need to have it stocked with enough supplies to keep you and your family safe and happy for a few weeks of off-grid camping. See Part #2 above (and in the full article linked to below). That’s waaaaaay better than hanging out in the local shelter.
But the most important thing to realize is that an RV (ANY RV) is a bad place to be in a storm. And if there’s a fast moving danger like a tornado or flash flood, your best course of action is to abandon ship and find shelter immediately. Which is why you need to create a Go Bag shown in Part # 3 above (and the full article).
Read Parts 1, 4 and 5 along with the rest of Mike Wendland’s article HERE.
Let’s play safe out there… Mike
