With a huge storm brewing in the Florida Coast, riding out a storm in your RV is the last thing you want to do. Safety is key in these situations. With bad memories of Hurricane Harvey hitting landfall in August 2017 and now Hurricane Dorian on it's way, we need to have a game plan ready to go during this hurricane season. Being too prepared is better than not being prepared at all. Whether it’s high winds or heavy rainfall, we want all of our fellow RVers to stay safe and have a plan of action!

Watch the Weather

Stay alert and stay informed. Just because there is a possibility that the hurricane won't hit the area you are in, doesn't mean it won't. If you are on the fence about leaving for a vacation or wondering if you should start packing up, make sure to double check the weather channel on your phone and be aware of any storms coming or forming that might put you in harm's way. Don’t just look for storms in the specific area you are located in, but zoom out to make sure storms aren’t quickly approaching your location. Be mindful!

Emergency Kit

You’ll never know when you might need to use the items in your emergency kit, but you will be glad you were overly prepared when the time comes. If you are always on the road in your RV or just taking your routine summer glamping trip, make sure to check your emergency kit each time before you hit the road. You might not remember using an item, but it is always safe to double check, especially if you have band-aid loving kiddos! Besides a kit for scrapes and minor burns, make sure to stock up on non-perishable foods and bottled water. By the time a big storm hits, most of the shelves are completely cleared so think ahead! Remember that your phone battery won’t outlast a storm if you don’t have electricity so pack flash lights, extra batteries and portable chargers! Radios might also be another key item to pack, just in case!

Batten Down the Hatches

Texas wind is intense, but nothing compared to winds from a tropical storm or hurricane. Make sure to gather all the items that are loose on your slips like grills, chairs and bikes. Find a safe place to store these items in advance so you aren’t running around trying to catch a flying bike in the storm. Don’t forget about closing items on your RV. Close outside storage compartments, windows and any items hanging on your RV. Roll up your awning so it is not damaged by the hail, rain or wind in a bad storm. If you are planning on leaving your RV on site, make sure to take picture of your RVs exterior and interior, including all valuable. Making an inventory list of valuable is also a good idea if you cannot take everything with you.

Be Organized

Camping with kiddos can be anything but clutter-free. With chances of a storm approaching, having a bag packed for each glamper can save you some stress and money in the long run. You don’t have to pack a suitcase for each kiddo, but just be aware that in a bad storm, you and your family might need to leave the area. Storms can be stressful and scary, but there is just something extremely comforting about having everyone’s favorite stuffed toy and a change of dry clothes on hand. So take the time before the storm hits to begin packing and getting organized so when you decide to leave, you are ready to go and not rushing around. Alongside keeping your family safe, look up your RV insurance policy documents and have their phone numbers stored in your phone.

Escape route

With all the excitement about being in a new place, take the time to understand where the evacuation route will be for you and your fellow campers. Make sure you have emergency contacts written down for the specific area you are staying in. If you have kiddos, make sure they have each guardian’s phone number memorized or written down and kept with them. While the evacuation plan is important, you cannot evacuate with RV in tow if you don't remember how to properly and safely move your travel trailer. Here is a short list of some important steps to take before loading up and hitting the road:

Hitch your vehicle correctly
Check your brakes, brake lights and brake controller
Make sure your stabilizing jacks and levelers are functioning correctly
Check your visibility
Check your tires

Don’t stay in the RV

This is very important. You might consider riding out the storm, but the risks are just not worth it. Have a safe place in mind and go to this location when it looks like the storm is coming your way! Don’t wait too late or your will be stuck in bad traffic, on the roads or worse, accidentally riding out the storm in your RV. If you’re on the road when the storm hits, make sure to find shelter and get off the road to safety. The last thing you need is a finder bender on top of a huge storm coming your way. To avoid trailer sway, make sure to leave with plenty of time and do not rush. Speeding is one of the top factors that causes trailers to sway. If you are in the area the storm is about to hit you should move your RV to a more interior land location away from the coast line. Most RV Parks will offer discount pricing to those escaping a hurricane. If worst comes to worst, churches and Walmart have been known to allow RVers a temporary parking lot access away from extreme weather.

Bucket trucks filled staging areas throughout Florida on Sunday, September 1st as power companies mobilized to assist with Hurricane Dorian fallout. Thank you to all the men and women that are putting their lives on the line to restore power and help those in need. This shows just how serious hurricanes can be so if you have a chance to evacuate, we ask you to please consider it for your safety. So if you see these amazing individuals stationed and ready to assist after the storm passes, give them a wave and thank them for their commitment to our great nation!

Traveling in your fifth wheel or travel trailer is worth the memories and the fun, but only if you are safe about it. Make sure you know what to do in each severe weather situation. If you have any questions or need some more tips, stop by our Howdy RV Dealership in Mathis, Texas. If you are interested in RVing, we will be more than happy to help you choose your travel trailer! Remember Howdy Ranch RV is only a short driving distance from Corpus Christi, San Antonio, Rockport, Laredo and Victoria! Enjoy RVing, safetly!

RVing in Severe Weather: Preparing for Hurricane Landfall

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