Traveling full time in our RV we have had the option to move with the weather. As long as you can bend with the wind chasing 70 degrees is not a problem, but we had an agenda. Places to go and people to see. We stuck with our plan and after a week in the Black Hills with our friends from Xscapers we headed 50 miles north to boondock on the Rocky Point Reservoir just outside of Belle Fourche, South Dakota. We drove to a remote place of the lake where we had our own little beach with beautiful views of the sunset. A little piece of heaven.
I was born in South Dakota however my parents moves back to California when I was three. I grew up hearing the stories of the cold winters and golf ball size hail. Stories that my dad would have to drive the car quickly to an overpass to prevent denting. It sounded miserable however Mitch and I were visiting in late June, there wouldn’t be any snow or golf ball hail. Would there? As the saying goes, we got schooled.
It seems that out on the prairie there is always a wind blowing. Sometimes it gets down right gusty and we had come to accept this part of boondocking in wide open country. Some days were hot and sticky, a part of the South Dakota climate that we were totally unaware of. We found ourselves hoovering close to the waters edge in the shade of the Cottonwood trees. We were looking at the weather daily for some sort of cool down and we saw that thunderstorms were expected but we had weathered them before so we did not have much for concern nor respect for what could come.
When storm day approached Mirch and I were outside trying to absorb the last bit of cool we could from the Cottonwoods trees. The wind was starting to really pick up and we could see the storm clouds low on the horizon. Mitch said “Look, the wind is blowing at our backs but that storm is blowing right toward us. Isn’t that weird?” “Yeah,” I say “you should get some footage of that.” The two of us run for the RV and grab our cameras.
The storm now noticeably closer we start filming. I go back to the rv for the time lapse camera and get it set in position. Meanwhile Mitch is at the waters edge capturing the wall of angry grey clouds rolling our way. With the wind blowing Mitch wants a wider angle ao he goes back to the RV for yet another camera when he hears my phone buzzing loudly. He picks it up and looks at the screen. Tornado Warning it reads it BIG bright red letters. “Lori, your phone says Tornado Warning!” he calls out.
My eyes grow round as saucers as I run toward him and grab my phone. There I see the big red warning flashing at me. Feeling like a deer in headlights we begin to batten down the hatches and as the wind begins whipping I message out to our RV Xscaper friends; Tornado warning in RV what do we do? I remembered something about laying in a ditch, but this was flat wide open space. I spot the cement port a potty across the field but second guess myself.
Now the wind is on top of us and the hard hitting rain begins. I’m frantically searching the sky for any signs of a twister but the rain is coming fast now and sideways. Visibility is nothing. Then the hail begins. Quarter size hail begins pelting the side of the RV. By now I’m beginning to panic and I hide under the RV table. The whole RV is swaying and bouncing in the wind. Water begins to pour in through the refrigerator and hood vents as the sideways rain spills into our motor home.
Grabbing every towel we own we are mopping the floor while the RV continues to rock. I think about the Mayday that I put out to the Xscapers and open my phone. At least 20 people have commented and most are saying Get Out!!! Once again I look at the cement port a potty and over to Mitch. “They are saying get out. We have to get out of here. This is stupid. We shouldn’t be in the RV. I’m getting out of here.”
I slipped on my flip flops and put the dogs leash on. We spilled out of the drivers door, opposite of the pelting rain, Mitch pulling on his shoes in quick pursuit. Within 10 feet I knew that the flip flops were not going to work so I pulled them off and ran across the field barefoot. If I stepped on any stickers I did not feel them, I just wanted to be safe, now. Mitch opened the door and quickly stepped in before pulling it shut again. “Did you see that big metal dumpster toppled over?” he asks. Yeah that wind is strong!
When the wind began to ease and the rain lightened to sprinkles we emerged. Our adrenaline still on high we make our way back to the RV to assess the damage. We really lucked out. Yes we now have dimples to the drivers side of our TOAD and the exposed awning was pocked full of holes but it was all fixable and livable. Everything was mostly intact and we would be able to enjoy another day on the road. Two trailers across the lake were not so lucky. One was turned on it’s side while the other had the whole side blown off. Yes we were fortunate.
Turns out, that what we experienced was called a down draft, however several tornadoes were spotted in the area and one sending a farmers tractor to Montana. It was the wake up call that we needed when traveling in tornado country. We made many major mistakes on that day and had there been a tornado our RV would have had no chance of surviving itself, let alone protecting us. With the help of some Xscaper friends, along with NOAA and the Red Cross, here are 7 actions that you can take to protect yourself in tornado land.
1. Be prepared ahead of time. Be aware. Know what the weather forecast is. Thunder storms are the culprits of tornado’s. If you are in an RV you have the option to move out of the area prior to the storms arrival. Tornado’s are most prevalent in April through June so you can plan your visit in the off season. Otherwise know when storms are approaching so that you can plan accordingly.
2. Know the signs of a tornado. The sky is often dark, even greenish. Watch for a wall of clouds or approaching debris, even if a funnel is not visible. Large hail without rain and a sudden die down in wind are another sign. Also listen for a loud continuous roar. It’s said that hot and sticky days preceding a thunderstorm are precursors.
3. Purchase a weather radio or am/fm radio and tune in. NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) has weather radios where you can tune into local weather and alerts. If a warning is issued it’s alarm will sound followed by the alert. Keeping a radio on and your cell phone nearby will also sound an alert. Red Cross also has an app for your smart phone called Emergency that will alert you to local hazards. Remember that if a tornado warning has sounded then a tornado has already been spotted.
4. Have a plan. When you are in tornado country you need to know your options. Many RV parks have safe buildings but when you are boondocking you have to be more creative. We have found cement pit toilets are often at the free campsites throughout North and South Dakota. If you get more remote and there is no shelter then take a mental note of where the nearest ditch is. Lay flat and cover yourself with a heavy coat, sleeping bag, or mattress, cover your head with your hands. Flying debris is the cause of most tornado related deaths.
5. Know what to do. If you are on the road and you are alerted or spot a tornado then it’s time to take action. Seek a substantial building to take cover in. Head for the basement or interior room. Avoid windows. Stay away from overpasses as debris is worse here. If you have no options and no visibility then remain in your car with your seat belt fastened. Duck below the level of the windows and cover yourself with a heavy coat or blanket.
6. Stay Tuned. Continue listening to your weather radio and local stations. Stay put until you know the coast is clear. Instructions will be clear and you will be notified when the threat has passed.
7. Stay Calm. Don’t panic. A level head will keep you safe. You know what to do. Do not wait. Take action and help any of those along the way who may be unsure of what to do.
Life on the road is full of exciting and beautiful places and there is so much to see. Don’t let the weather or other hazards stop you from exploring every corner. Watching the weather, buying the tools, and being aware of your surroundings will set your mind at ease when faced with potential bad weather. Preparedness is the best way to stay safe on the road and awareness can save your life. There is no need to fear the what if’s. This is a journey about learning and experiencing and sharing. But most of all it’s a journey of the love of life. Be safe out there.
https://www.emsaonline.com/mediacenter/articles/00000184.html
http://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/tornado
http://www.noaa.gov/resource-collections/tornadoes