Here are a few things you can do to be ready to get yourself to a safe harbor when RVing.
If you call an RV home you must be ever aware of your vulnerability to severe weather, high winds or other emergencies that can do damage to our homes on wheels. As we sit on RV sites, parking lots, in the boonies or in cities we are not secured to the earth, as were our brick and mortar homes. A gust of wind - say 40mph - directly frontal to our awning would likely put said awning over the roof. Gusting side winds if taken directly can easily roll your home on its side. Our only option is to get outta' Dodge.
As we sat waiting to see what direction hurricane Ernesto might take we evolved an emergency evacuation plan. A friend of mine once said he was always 45-minuts from being on the road at any time. I watched him invoke that 45-minute from set-up to pull out, it wasn't pretty but he did it. By the way it took me an hour and ½ to accomplish the same.
1. Keep your rig ready to roll.
Don't put off those repairs. Keep your rig road ready. This includes keeping the pressure correct in your tires.
2. Keep your area under your rig clean.
Yes I know that's where we all store things and that's ok but keep it to a minimum if you don't use it get rid of it. Thing is if you need to pull out you need to be able to do so quickly.
3. Keep at least a 3-day food supply on hand.
Weeks would be better. I can't imagine us ever being below three days but it is a good supply and should be able to get us to safe harbor somewhere where we can re-supply and move on or sit till the problem has moved on.
4. Water.
Be sure your fresh water tank is full before you leave. Have at least two cases of bottled water on hand. Again don't wait till the last minute to get the water; it's not going to go to waste if there is no emergency.
5. Grey and Black tanks
Dump before you leave don't hit the road with full tanks.
6. Let someone know.
Let someone know where you are going and when you plan on returning. Leave them a way to contact you.
7. Know your escape routes.
Have a planed route for each direction you may need to go.
8. Don't wait till the last moment to leave.
Don't get caught in all that traffic...leave early...better to have to turnaround than be stuck in traffic when the storm hits.
These are just a few suggestions that may get you to safe harbor. There may be things that you need to add for your own circumstances.
