Surviving a Tornado When You're Camping

Last month while camping in Alabama, I experienced a tornado warning and an actual tornado near my campsite.  At midnight, the government emergency alert blared on my iPhone waking me from a sound sleep. Panicked, I realized the alert was telling me to take shelter immediately. I dressed quickly and headed to our campground's clubhouse which is the only permanent structure on site. The camp host checked that we were all there and then we sat and waited. The wind blew around us at about 60-75 miles an hour. Then the power went out and I sat there in the dark with no iPhone, no personal ID, and no emergency supplies. That's when I began to re-evaluate my actions. I suddenly realized I was not prepared for any emergency when it all happens this quickly.

I Was Lucky to Survive a Tornado
Luckily, the tornado did not hit us directly, some say it made landfall about 3 miles away in a farmer's field. This morning, we could see that there was no major damage to any of the motorhomes, trailers, and campers parked in the campground. However, there was some minor damage caused by fallen pine trees, flying furniture, trees branches, and other debris.  Thank God we survived!

You Have to Act Quickly
Some of you may remember that a few years ago, I survived a hurricane while camping in Alabama and shared in my blog post, "Preparing the RV for Hurricane Nate". In that post, I listed the things I did to prepare my camper and what I took with me to my sister's house to ride out the storm. Well, I learned from my recent tornado warning experience that you have a whole lot less time to respond to the emergency of a tornado than a hurricane.  So, you have to plan ahead so you are ready before you hear that emergency alert. That way you know what you want to grab so you can get out quickly.

What to Prepare Before an Emergency Happens

So, you may be asking, "What if an emergency happens while I am camping? What should I do so I am prepared for an emergency?" Here is a list that I found on the CDC website and how I adapted it to work for me as a full-time camper.

1. Know your safe shelter. [Living in an RV, this changes every time you change locations, so ask the locals.]
2. Set up the alert system on your smartphone so you are notified when there is an emergency like a tornado, flash flood, or hurricane.
3. Have fresh batteries and a battery-operated radio or internet-based device to listen to emergency weather information. [I have a solar-powered battery pack that has USB jacks and a built-in flashlight. I packed extra charger cords since I plan to use my iPhone for my emergency alert and news updates.)
4. Have an Emergency Kit. [I have a Young Living duffle bag packed with 2 water bottles, some non-perishable food, favorite essential oils, first aid kit, two changes of clothing, and a pair of closed-toe shoes.]
5. Important information with phone numbers. [Insurance papers, proof of ownership for home, RV, car, etc. Photocopies of passport, driver's license, and other information.  I stored copies in an encrypted online server like DropBox. I put the photocopies inside waterproof sleeve protectors and taped them shut in case the cellphone and internet service is not working.)
6. I packed all of my things, except the solar flashlight and the iPhone

How Do You Prepare for Storms?

The weather forecasters are predicting more storms for this month. Hopefully, I will be better prepared the next time an emergency alert tells me to seek shelter.

I hope you found these tips to be helpful and that whenever a storm comes your way, you will be ready.  Do you have any other tips for preparing for storms and emergencies? Share these by typing in the comment section below. I love learning from all of you. Thanks, friends.

Preparing RV for Hurricane Nate

Yes folks, I am still camping near Fairhope, Alabama waiting for Hurricane Nate to hit the Gulf Coast. I decided I would use this post to let you would know that as of Saturday, October 7th, I am safe and sound. I also want to use this post to share some of the safety preparations I made to the RV. First, let me say that if you find a big storm like a hurricane approaching, the smartest thing to do is probably to leave and move your RV to a safer part of the country. (I guess I am not so smart because I decided instead to secure the RV and then shelter in place at my sister Susie's with my parents who are visiting from Ohio.) So, if you aren't so smart, like me, here are eight things I did to prepare my RV to stay for the hurricane.

1. Store all outdoor equipment like patio furniture and grills in RV
2. Fill fresh water tank to add weight. 3. Put stabilizer jacks down.
4. Charge digital devices, smartphone phones, laptops, rechargeable batteries and flashlights.
5. Put important papers in waterproof sleeves and bins. Know where your passport, birth certificate, other licenses, and insurance forms are located. Have emergency and insurance phone numbers written down in case smartphone stops working.
6. Collect drinking water, canned goods and other non-perishable foods (be sure to have an old-fashioned can opener). Cook perishable meats, make salads with veggies and fruit and invite RV neighbors over for a hurricane party before helping everyone to prepare their rigs for the storm.
7. Put together a first aid kit. I also like using essential oils so I put some of the basics I use everyday in my Luci bag tote so I can find them easily.
8. Pull in all awnings and slides so that they will not be damaged by the storm (this is debated on internet, but I decided that it was safest to do this.)

Since I decided not to stay in the RV, I packed up important papers, clothes, first aid kit, toiletries, books to read and games to play and headed to my sister's house. I admit I am a little scared and nervous about leaving my new home, but I know that all will work to the good.

I am going to continue to update these tips on my website so if you are an RV owner and have other weather safety tips to share, please type them in the comments section below and I will add them to the site.

The website is caminoturtletravels.com