If you spend enough time in your RV eventually, you’ll run into trouble. You may glance out the window to find the sky darkening and wind picking up.
Experiencing a severe storm in an RV can be an adventure, but what about a tornado? Can you survive a tornado in an RV? Let’s dive in and see!
Can You Survive a Tornado in an RV?
Many have sought shelter from a storm in their RVs, including during tornados. Even if you’ve experienced a tornado before, experiencing one in your RV is different. The RV magnifies every sight and sound compared to a residential home.
If you’ve never experienced a tornado before, consider yourself lucky. These raging storms produce incredible winds and leave immense destruction in their wake. Their raw power and intensity deserve respect and caution.
An RV can’t safely withstand a tornado or powerful storm. Therefore, you should receive weather alerts on your phone or radio to stay safe.
Check out these examples of what tornadoes can do to RVs.
RV Park Hit by Tornadoes in Texas, Spring 2021
In March 2021, a powerful storm struck the Texas Panhandle. The towns of Amarillo and Lubbock got hit especially hard. The National Weather Service said multiple tornadoes touched down in the area.
Palo Duro Canyon State Park in Canyon, Texas, evacuated 42 people to a tornado shelter. Sixteen people decided to weather the storm. Afterward, five people were reported missing. Rescuers found four quickly, but one hiker remained lost for hours.
Despite the damage, authorities did not report any injuries or fatalities. Still, the images of families sifting through destroyed RVs should serve as a stark warning.
Possible Tornado Causes Damage at RV Park
In September 2019, Hurricane Dorian hit the coast of North Carolina and left a tremendous amount of damage. Hurricanes bring heavy rainfall but can also spawn tornadoes and severe storms. Unfortunately, RVs provide little shelter from tornadoes or hurricanes.
WCNC’s video shows a glimpse of an RV park in Emerald Isle, North Carolina, that suffered extensive damage. Hurricane Dorian hadn’t yet hit the coast, but this RV park already had multiple destroyed RVs.
Again, you should not stay in your RV during a hurricane or severe storm. Whenever you can, you should move your RV out of the path of the storm.
Tornado Damages RV Park in Emerald Isle, NC
A second video from September 2019 documents storm damage in Emerald Isle, North Carolina. Powerful winds blew RVs parked close together into each other like dominoes. Damage to the sides of many RVs served as evidence of what flying debris can do.
The bicyclist filming the video shows streets and pathways blocked by debris. You can also see how localized the damage within the RV park was. Many houses and RVs are unaffected, while houses a block or two away lay in ruins.
RV Park Tornado Damage
In April 2020, Hofbrau RV Park in Round Mountain, Texas, suffered a devastating tornado. Five of the 35 RVs in the RV park were damaged or a total loss.
The storm impacted 40 residents in total. However, authorities reported no fatalities and only two injuries. No one was hospitalized as a result of the storm.
Tornado Wreaks Havoc (on RV Park) During COVID-19 Pandemic
In the midst of the pandemic, 137 tornadoes touched down in 48 hours. In this video, Wildwood Vagabond shares how the April 12 and 13 tornados impacted their family. Luckily for them, they were seven hours away when the storms hit. Still, they had to deal with the heartbreak of learning their RV got hit.
In the video, the couple discovers their RV suffered significant damage. The wind lifted it off its jacks. Also, a downed tree broke their car’s rear window. Thankfully, the community banded together to help each other in this time of need.
The couple said they’re planning to sell their rig to a local businessman who can salvage their RV for parts. On camera, they bid the old rig goodbye and try to face the future with optimism. It’s an incredibly positive outlook during a stressful situation.
Tornado Destroys RV Park in North Dakota
In July 2018, the Prairie View RV Park endured an EF2 tornado, capable of winds between 111 and 135 miles per hour. It destroyed more than 100 structures and overturned numerous RVs. About 20 out of 28 people who were injured had been staying at the Prairie View RV Park. There was one reported fatality, a seven-day-old baby.
Residents shared how their houses shook in violent winds. If the storm rocked residential homes, it’s little wonder it toppled RVs as well.
RVs Are No Match for Severe Weather
RVs are not designed to withstand severe weather, whether it’s heat, cold, or a tornado. Riding out a storm in an RV is entirely different from doing it in a residential home.
The height of RVs helps them handle intense front and rear winds, but not side to side winds. The tall and wide sides of RVs act like massive wind blocks in storms. Plus, they’re elevated, which increases their instability and makes them more likely to overturn.
Safety Tips for RVing During Severe Weather
Keep your family safe if you find yourself facing severe weather while RVing. We can replace material objects, but we can’t replace people. Here are a few things you can do if you find yourself in the path of a storm.
First, move your RV as quickly as possible out of the path of the storm if you can. Some severe weather, like hurricanes, comes with ample warning. Use that time to get out of harm’s way.
If forecasters predict storms with high winds, move your RV to go with the wind. This will allow the front of your RV to absorb the brunt of the storm. It could also mitigate the risk of tipping over.
If you can’t move, fill your water tanks to add weight to your RV, bring in all your slides, and hitch up to your tow vehicle. This adds stabilization during the storm.
Seeking shelter for you and your loved ones should be your highest priority. High winds not only produce a tip-over risk but may also knock debris onto your vehicle. Things like fallen trees can do just as much damage as the storm itself.
RVs allow you to explore the country but can’t keep you safe in a storm. Stay safe by having a plan and being mindful of the potential for severe weather.
Have you experienced severe weather while in your RV? What safety tips have you learned from your RVing experience?
If You Want the Latest Travel News, Join Our Mailing List
Don’t rely on biased RV industry news sources to keep you informed. Stick with Nomadic News. We publish articles and breaking stories that matter to you every weekday.
