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Old 02-23-2016, 04:26 PM   #1
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Dark Clouds and stormy weather

We were listening to the weather forecast tonight, predicting severe weather for lower Alabama.
We are all snug at home, and we were discussing what we would do if severe weather occurred while camping?
Would we just stay put and hope for the best?
Would we opt to stay in a hotel for the night?
Or would we bailout and try to beat the weather?
What do think most campers do?
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Old 02-23-2016, 04:32 PM   #2
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One's options are determined by the trailer location, escape road choices and direction of weather movement relevant to their location and escape roads. If there is sufficient time, heading perpendicular to the storm path is prudent in Tornado Alley.

Otherwise, a quick search for a safe shelter (no trailer qualities if out in the open or under trees) becomes top priority. Even a road culvert is better than nothing.
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Old 02-23-2016, 05:06 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BassCan View Post
We were listening to the weather forecast tonight, predicting severe weather for lower Alabama.
We are all snug at home, and we were discussing what we would do if severe weather occurred while camping?
Would we just stay put and hope for the best?
Would we opt to stay in a hotel for the night?
Or would we bailout and try to beat the weather?
What do think most campers do?
Kind of depends on what type of severe weather.
Tornado - Find someplace solid enough to not be blown away, preferably underground. Hint: Know where to go before a storm is coming, and plan to leave the Airstream behind to fend for itself.
Hurricane - Bug out well in advance to avoid the rush. An RV has exactly zero chance of riding out one safely.
Blizzard - Wouldn't be camping there to begin with. I hate snow and ice.
Thunderstorm - Ride it out, but disconnect from shore power first just in case of lightning strikes on nearby power lines. Even with a surge protector, no sense taking chances.
Flash flood - Move to higher ground and just keep going.
Wildfire - As with a hurricane, bug out at the first sign one is coming.
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Old 02-23-2016, 05:14 PM   #4
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You are right there is a lot of variables .
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Old 02-23-2016, 05:18 PM   #5
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Great advise to disconnect power during a thunderstorm. We have not done that in the past.
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Old 02-23-2016, 05:39 PM   #6
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And cable TV and phone hard lines if applicable. [plus -- obviously -- also lower television and radio antennas and awnings -- measure twice cut once]
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Old 02-23-2016, 05:56 PM   #7
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We were thinking that if we were traveling and staying for the night, we would check into a sturdy hotel and let the bad weather pass by.
If only we could find a hotel with covered parking for our airstream.
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Old 02-23-2016, 06:13 PM   #8
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Safe travels to all that are out camping. Lucky ducks
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Old 02-23-2016, 08:02 PM   #9
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My trailer is my escape pod. If it is bad enough for me to have to evacuate from either my home or a campground the trailer is coming with me. It stays mostly stocked and ready to go. Tonight (same storm as OP) I am happy to be at home.
I was actually all packed and getting ready to head out when news of this storm came. Heading out tomorrow after the storm ends tonight. Forecast for tomorrow is bright and sunny.
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Old 02-23-2016, 11:16 PM   #10
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Back in 1963 or 1964...a long time ago, Hurricane Betsy came through Miami. We had to stay because DH worked for Western Union and they had to be ready to go to work the next day to clear the lines. So to prepare he brought home ...our trailer , about two hundred feet of rope about two inches in diameter and tied that rope around our trailer, up and over and through the axles several times and then tied it off on one side a telephone pole and the other side a large palm. We let the front down
and cracked the windows, packed an overnight bag and went to a motel. The storm raged all night, water seeped in the room. The pool had been drained in preparation but it was running over.

The next morning it looked like a war zone, planes had been thrown over fences at the airport so we prepared ourselves for the worst. We pulled into the park and lo and behold our trailer was the only one that did not sustain any damage. There was a lot of laughter when people saw all of that rope but we had the last laugh. When a problem presents itself you deal with it the best way you can with what you have.

Hurricane Betsy continued on eventually making it to New Orleans.

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Old 02-24-2016, 01:20 AM   #11
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News quote: "2nd death confirmed from tornado at Convent (Louisiana) RV park... First responders search for victims in the debris of the Sugar Hill RV Park in Convent after a powerful tornado struck on Tuesday (afternoon), February 23, 2016."

Were any AirForums members camped there?

Our thoughts and prayers go out to victims of this disaster and their families.

==========

Link to news articles:

https://www.google.com/?gfe_rd=ssl&e...+February+2016
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Old 02-24-2016, 04:37 AM   #12
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Road out Hurricane Camille on the Mississippi Gulf Coast - we had a rental across Hwy 90 from the Beach - never did that again.

Many private campgrounds we have stayed at have storm shelters or can tell you where one is. I ask now when we check in.

If real serious weather is predicted we keep moving and don't stop for the night in the area. Multiple weather apps and weather app radars help these days.

Bud
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Old 02-24-2016, 10:49 AM   #13
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what a timely post...for me, at least. Leaving tomorrow morning for the Louisiana coast (New Iberia), then will head over to Florida along the coast for 14 days. Will be driving, but will leave Daisy at home this time. So I'll be following the very route those storms/tornadoes followed the past couple of days. Having been in hurricane's and many Florida thunderstorms I totally agree with Protagonist's points... although blizzards in a camper can be fun ('till the gas runs out). So remember his points, and you should be safe. As an aside, 79Tow was lucky to not have the pole fall on his AS....shows we all try to do what we think is best at the time. Safe travels. jon
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Old 02-24-2016, 11:48 AM   #14
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Dark Clouds

Agree...one of my first thoughts when I saw the reports. Heavy heart for those who were lost.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Phoenix View Post
News quote: "2nd death confirmed from tornado at Convent (Louisiana) RV park... First responders search for victims in the debris of the Sugar Hill RV Park in Convent after a powerful tornado struck on Tuesday (afternoon), February 23, 2016."

Were any AirForums members camped there?

Our thoughts and prayers go out to victims of this disaster and their families.

==========

Link to news articles:

https://www.google.com/?gfe_rd=ssl&e...+February+2016
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Old 02-24-2016, 02:53 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BassCan View Post
Great advise to disconnect power during a thunderstorm. We have not done that in the past.
I didn't one time, and my surge protector 'died', saving the trailer.
A new one was $165 (In Canada); a lot cheaper than replacing electrical harness, and services.
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Old 02-24-2016, 04:48 PM   #16
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A few years ago, we were camped at Gulf Shores, AL, as a tornado was approaching. We left the trailer, a fifth-wheel then, and bugged out for the first substantial public building we saw. It was a CVS drug store. We hung out in the parking lot, listening to the radio as the tornado path was described. Fortunately, it veered north and caused no damage where we were camped. You just don't mess with Mother Nature!

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Old 02-24-2016, 05:21 PM   #17
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Oh the weather

Years ago while traveling in upper Michigan in October we pulled into a campground that was virtually empty. The Ranger at the Kiosk was closing up, kind of early but we thought what the heck he wants to go home.

He took our money and said any site was available but would suggest the rather large flat meadow at the end of the campground road. We thought we could see the stars better or something. Oh, he did mention that there was the possibility of snow, but we should be "ok".

Well that night as we slept the sky dumped about a foot of snow on the meadow and campground. There was a slight hill to get out, which of course was not plowed. We tried and tried, a "crewcab dually" has absolutely no traction in the snow (we did not have a posi-rearend) and could not make it up the slight grade!

We finally made it by going in large circles around the meadow to gain some speed then "hit" the hill at about 30mph and barely made it over the slight crest.

I am sure the ranger was expecting us to be stuck there in the morning when he returned, but I think we figured out why he pointed us to the meadow....all of the campsites were pull-thu's that were BELOW the campground roadway level. We would have never made it out of one of those!!!

Proceeded to head DIRECTLY SOUTH as the radio was broadcasting that the area had received the "earliest snow storm on record" that night!

Moral: Ask the Ranger why he is recommending a certain campsite!!
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Old 02-24-2016, 06:56 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BassCan View Post
We were thinking that if we were traveling and staying for the night, we would check into a sturdy hotel and let the bad weather pass by.
If only we could find a hotel with covered parking for our airstream.
Covered parking? Have you noticed what happens to most buildings during a tornado? Most hotels would provide minimal protection.
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Old 02-24-2016, 08:36 PM   #19
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Greetings,

So sorry for the folks that lost property or family during the recent storms. Our prayers are with them.

That said, when we left the Hill Country of Texas it was 46' and a north wind about 35MPH with dark overcast. We hardly had to use any fuel because of the tail wind.

Presently, it is 66', beautiful sunset and looking for the next four days to be sunny and a high of 72'.

Port Aransas Whooping Crain 20th Anniversary confab! Yall come on down!

We have a standard rule about the weather. If it is raining hard where you are or upstream get on high ground. If the road is covered with water, find a place to stop and wait. It will stop and dry off. And, never ever for any reason cross a low water crossing when water is running over the top of the road.

I have seen tractor trailer rigs moved off of a low water crossing with only 6in of water over it.

Finally, we live in wonderful times. We have complete weather information in the palm of our hands. Use it.

Trucks and trailers can be replaced, Airforums folks can not.

Now I will get off my soap box and return to gloating over the fantastic weather on the Texas Gulf Coast just now.

Happy Trails
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Old 02-25-2016, 08:27 AM   #20
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I've been checking out video of the devastation at Sugar Hill RV Park in Convent, LA, only 50 miles from where I live. I'm struck by the fact that not one single vehicle was left unscathed. Not one RV, not one trailer, not one toad or tow vehicle survived intact. It's just pure dumb luck more people weren't killed there.

There's a lesson to be learned. Pay attention to the local weather forecast wherever you go, and if tornadoes watches are put into effect, find someplace else to be, so that by the time the watch becomes a warning, you're already safe.

A few months ago I downloaded the American Red Cross's mobile apps for various types of disasters that might occur where I live and/or camp. See http://www.redcross.org/get-help/pre...es/mobile-apps or go to your app store. You can select multiple locations to monitor, not only your own home or current camping location, but also the locations of loved ones anywhere in the US.

The Red Cross tornado app includes a warning tone that sounds for all the world like an old-time civil defense siren that I remember from my formative years in southwest Oklahoma, loud enough to wake the dead, so you're unlikely to sleep through a tornado warning. This is a good thing.

I have the apps for hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, and floods on both my phone and tablet. I didn't feel like the earthquake app was worth downloading, because unlike other disasters, earthquakes come without warning. But I suppose it offers good advice for what to do in the aftermath…
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