Watching the weather and the RV lifestyle often go hand-in-hand. Inclement weather, especially wind, can produce conditions that make both driving and your campsite dangerous. 

Storms turn RVers into avid weather watchers. One storm sure turned us into one…

Our Experience with Hurricane-Force Winds

We were caught in what we thought was a tornado but turned out to be straight-line hurricane-force winds of over 75 miles an hour. I was driving my RV at the time, a Class B Roadtrek.

I had seen dark storm clouds approaching fast from the west as I was traveling I-75 in Ohio. So I pulled off the road into a Pilot service station. 

Then it hit. 

There was no warning for those winds.

For about five minutes, I was trapped at the pump, blocked by a vehicle behind me, whose driver ran into the Pilot building for shelter. I didn't want to move forward as that's where the flying debris was whipping the strongest.

Damage to my RV was minor, all things considered.

But it made for some pretty scary moments. The storm uprooted trees, flipped a half-dozen semi-tractor trucks on I-75, destroyed buildings, and knocked power out in the area. Ever since I have paid hyper attention to the weather forecast. 

RV Bad Weather Tips That Could Save Your Life

There's been a lot of bad weather lately. Tornadoes, tropical storms, hail, and flash flooding.  So, I decided it's time to write about some helpful tips when caught in severe weather.

1. Have a Plan (In Advance)

Can you quickly pack up your RV if you need to leave your site in a hurry? We can, and the key to a fast pack-up is to have a plan. The method includes a list.  

With a hurricane, you may have a few days' notice and time to pack, but an incoming flash flood, wildfire, or storm may demand quick thinking and quick packing. A checklist will ease your anxiety.

The next time you pack up your RV, make a list of all the steps. Create a laminated card and keep it in a handy place that is easy to find—even when you are stressed.