Don’t Be Scared, Be Prepared for Severe Weather in the RV Road School Moms

Severe weather in the RV can be scary! Don't be scared, be prepared! The Roadschool Moms discuss in depth, more than 20 precautions to take during severe weather seasons in Episode #181 of Roadschool Moms Radio.  The replay is a live recording by the Roadschool Moms team from the back porch and behind the wheel. Holly Giles, the creator of The Giles Frontier, broadcasts from central Florida.  This week, Mary Beth Goff, the Road Trip Teacher is behind the wheel from a SouthWest Florida location. 



This broadcast gives specific advice for those living the fulltime RV lifestyle; however, many topics discussed are beneficial to Roadschool Moms no matter where in the world you are!

 Before You Hit the Road

There are several ways to arm your family with the proper tools and precautionary measures to deal with inclement weather factors that may arise down the road. The key to this part of being prepared is to be proactive. A few things to do before you hit the road include



* Download a good weather app with key features such as Accuweather or The Weather Channel

* Gather adequate roadmaps for all areas of the journey ahead

* Always travel with a weather radio with the seven NOAA channels

* Keep a charged computer or tablet nearby with the appropriate cords

* Maintain a current selection of various campground directories such as the Big Rigs Best Bets directory

* Create an emergency survival kit as well as a bug out bag for each family member



Finally, before you take off on the next road trip adventure, talk with all passengers, especially the kiddos, to demonstrate at least two (2) ways out of the RV in case of an emergency. A final inspection of the RV, tow vehicle, or toad is also non-negotiable. The last checkmark on the list to playing it safe is to put back sufficient cash to cover basic expenses including fuel, food, and accommodations for several days in case the family is displaced due to an accident or weather-related situation.

Severe Weather in the RV

Severe weather is scary no matter where in the world you live. Fulltime RVing families face even more challenges in weather-related situations. Often, RV travel takes place in regions of the country that are unfamiliar. Someone who grew up in Colorado may have no clue what to look for during hurricane season in Florida. A few no-brainer tips to remember are



* Keep a mobile device charged at all times

* Check satellite radio often for weather updates

* If near the coast, be aware of tropical storms brewing

* Keep fuel, propane, and water tanks full when weather predictions are unstable



It is imperative to be weather aware when you are on the road. If you sense a change, pull over to a safe location and check the changing weather conditions. Remember, an RV is not a safe location during severe weather. Finding safe shelter is a must to avoid the risk of injury o even death. Retail stores, the library, a hospital, the post office, or any structure that you can reach with ample parking is good for an emergency. If it becomes necessary to pull over on the road, do not park next to a guard rail or any obstruction that will keep you from exiting the RV.

Take No Chances

The best advice is to take no chances during even the possibility of severe weather.