I'm a little curious.In all the campgrounds I've been too I've never seen a sign directing us to a storm shelter.Were do you go when a severe storm approaches?
I sure wouldn't stay in the RV. I do recall the Grand Casino in Tunica, MS having tornado instructions in their cg rules / policies. I think it said sirens would sound and casino buses would come pick everyone up. I doubt they would really have time though, unless it was for a Tornado Watch. There were strong winds there during one of our visits and we saw an overturned popup camper the next morning. -- Travelguy
In unpopulated campgrounds they'll usually direct you to the restrooms. We don't go anywhere unless it's in our truck because of our fuzzy kids. Shelters don't allow them and unless the campground was full of pets and their humans we wouldn't be welcomed. However, if it's in the middle of the night people are just going to have to get over it.
We have always been directed to the restrooms. We normally stay in State Parks. Rangers are always great to come around and tell you there is approaching bad weather and when to take shelter. I bring my "fuzzy kid" with me and have had no objections.
In mid west you will find a lot of RV parks that have very large cement boxes in ground to take shelter in. If you do not wish to use it they you and a your RV equipment may be found in the next County. An F4 or F5 is not a nice thing to look at. Not all parks have a shelter to go to. The best place is a very small room if you have no other shelter. In the deadly zones it is best to ask about good shelters before you go. We stay out of bad zones in summer months to cut down on losses.
QUOTE(montana @ Apr 24 2005, 08:56 PM) I'm a little curious.In all the campgrounds I've been too I've never seen a sign directing us to a storm shelter.Were do you go when a severe storm approaches? Very good question!!! Last July we were camping in a tent at Point Lookout State Park in Maryland (which is where the Chesapeake Bay and Potomac River meet) and we encountered some very severe weather including what I would found out later was three funnel clouds spotted within 3 miles of where we were in our tent within a 10 minute time span. We thankfully came out of the storms with no damage whatsoever and when we learned of the funnel clouds being so close and having no idea until another camper who had a marine radio told us this, (we were listening to the radio, but it was for the D.C/Baltimore area 2 to 3 hours from where we were, it was the closest station we could get but did not include our area within the forecast ) The first question I had was why weren't we notified by the park of such weather? The other camper did tell us if we were ever to camp here again that a marine radio would be advisable because weather in the area changes very dramatically and very fast and is actually very hard to give a long range warning for impending weather, thus it would be virtually impossible for the park personnel to notify campers of impending weather that turns up within minutes. This camper also told us that the best place would have been for us to get to the restrooms and hover in a stall area. I have since bought a marine/weather radio and have also lodged in my memory to remember the restrooms as the best place to seek refuge.
Don't know about tornados but when tent camping at Asseateague State Campground in Maryland when severe thunderstorms approach the Park Rangers ORDER everyone into the rest rooms. After one bad storm some people lost their gear when it was blown into the Atlantic Ocean.
I ain't going there. No way, not me, so siree bob. Best way to avoid such a catastrophe is stay out of tornado alley. Wouldn't catch me there, nope, not ever.
I was born and raised in tornado alley and I can tell you for sure that anywhere is better than being in your RV during a tornado, I can also tell you that unless your shelter is under ground, nowhere is really safe. I would opt for the lowest, sturdiest structure on the camp ground. Having a close working relationship with your maker isnt a bad idea either. Dusty
Each time that we get set up at a campground, we check out the nearest, sturdiest buildings, preferably cement block, in the campground. Also during peak season, we will try to scope out nearby businesses hopefully for one with a basement. Anything is better than a rig to ride out a bad storm with a potential tornado heading your way. A good weather alert radio with SAME technology and the ability to get local televison channels is also a must when traveling in high risk areas.
