Outdoor safety
RV and camping storm safety
RVs are essentially mobile homes when it comes to tornado survivability, which is to say — dangerous. Camping tents offer even less. Here is how to plan and shelter.
Before the trip
- Check the SPC 3-day outlook for your destination.
- If any convective outlook covers your dates, plan a shelter location within 15 minutes drive.
- Note the campground office — many have designated storm shelters.
- Save the local NWS office X/Twitter and your county emergency management site.
- Download an offline weather radar map for the destination area.
- Charge everything, including a battery bank.
If a tornado warning is issued for your area
You are in an RV
Abandon the RV. Get to a substantial building on foot if within safe walking distance. If not, drive to one. Cars are barely safer than RVs but they at least drive.
You are camping in a tent
Abandon the tent. Get to a substantial building. If no building available, get to a low area (a ditch or ravine) away from trees and vehicles.
You are hiking
Get low. Away from ridge lines. Away from tallest trees. Lie flat.
You are on the water
Get off the water. Water + lightning is the deadliest combination in camping.
Lightning specifics
- The 30/30 rule — count seconds between flash and thunder. If under 30 sec, shelter. Wait 30 min after last thunder before going back out.
- Inside a fully enclosed metal vehicle, you are safe from lightning.
- Inside an RV — you are also relatively safe, as the metal frame acts as a Faraday cage. This does NOT apply to tornadoes.
- Do not shelter under trees.
- Do not shelter in an open field.
- Do not shelter in a small open shelter.
Hail specifics
- Hail can damage or destroy RV skylights, awnings, and solar panels.
- Before storm season: extend RV awnings only when you are there to retract them.
- For golf-ball+ hail: get out of the RV — hail can break through skylights and hit people.
- For softball+ hail: this is a survival situation. Get to a substantial building.
Post-storm
- Do not touch downed power lines.
- If your RV is damaged, do not enter until inspected for structural integrity.
- Note the time and take photos of all damage for insurance.
- Contact your RV insurance immediately — most policies have specific severe-weather clauses.