With hurricane season upon us, we would like to offer a few tips to keep your RV safe and secure if you are in the path of a storm.
Preparing your RV for a hurricane:
- Cover RV tightly.
- Close and secure all doors, windows and vents.
- Close slides and storage spaces.
- Clean any debris that might block doors and slides from sealing.
- Double-check sealant.
- Store in a safe area, preferably sheltered and on stable ground.
- Remove all documents, such as registrations, warranties and insurance information, and store in a sealed plastic bag away from the RV.
RVing during a hurricane:
Hurricanes are serious, strong and potentially lethal weather events. RVs are especially vulnerable to high winds and heavy rain. Do not attempt to camp or drive your RV during a storm.
However, if you are caught, do as much as you can to minimize risk to yourself and your family.
- Do not attempt to drive or cross across any water higher than your ankles. Even a small amount of flowing water can knock a person down, stall a vehicle and create unsafe driving conditions.
- You don’t usually have time to move your RV. Get yourself to higher ground immediately.
- Avoid staying in your RV if possible. Seek shelter in the most solid structure available.
- Get as far from the coast and bodies of water as you can.
- Avoid parking your RV in deep sand, which can easily turn to quicksand.
- Avoid hillsides, which can become landslides.
- Avoid pools of water, as they can be contaminated and conceal unknown, dangerous materials.
- Orient your RV to face the wind's strongest direction.
- Blown out or broken windows are one of the biggest hazards in surviving a hurricane. Stay away from your RV's windows and draw the drapes.
Photo by Christopher on Unsplash
