RV Camping Severe Weather Awareness Part 4

~Our Stories Part 4~

This is our 4th article about RV Camping Severe Weather Awareness. These are our stories of things we have either witnessed or been through. We hope that our “lessons learned” will help others to really think about severe weather while RV Camping and help to keep everyone safe.

Storms Predicted

First, this is a story of something that happened back in August of 2018. We were having quite a few storms come through the campground every few days but nothing too bad.

The Meteorologists in our area were predicting stronger storms to move through in the afternoon hours, possibly bringing high winds and large hail. The rain picked up in the afternoon and we did get some strong winds and hail with them but nothing too bad.

Things Changed

The storms did start getting much stronger and the hail got much larger. Furthermore, the last storm that came through was the strongest.

We noticed that a family staying a few campsites down from us had moved their newer truck right beside their newer fifth wheel. We commented that we sure hoped they were going to pull their awning in as that would be bad to leave out with these high winds and it would do nothing to help protect their truck from the hail stones falling.

While we were discussing that, the winds increased big time and the hail stones got much larger. Consequently, the wind took their awning up and it came crashing down right on top of their truck. Now these people had an awning that was destroyed and a truck with damage as well.

Help on the Way

After the storm cleared, my dad went down to try to help these people out of their RV and to get the awning off their truck. He also asked Mark to go down there to help as well. The people were very grateful for their help.

My Dad had climbed up into the bed of the truck and was assisting the owner with the awning. Dad wasn’t aware that the new awnings are spring loaded and when they removed it, it uncoiled.

My Mom, Sister, and I had just come outside to see the damage and heard screaming.

More Help on the Way

I ran out to the road to see who was yelling and Mark yelled for me to get the First Aide Kit and hurry. I ran inside and grabbed it and came out to find my Dad bleeding big time from his hand and Mark was trying to get him to another campsite to run water on it to see how bad it was.

It was bad.

Very bad.

Emergency Room Time

After we got him cleaned up some, Mark took him to the Emergency Room and found out that he had broke his finger and his hand was cut up bad. This was the end of that camping trip.

Lessons Learned

Your Awning

What we learned (or already knew, but others learned) is do NOT put your RV awning out to protect any other objects from hail or wind. The newer style awnings are spring loaded and when removed they WILL uncoil and snap and can cause very serious injury!

First Aid Kits

It is also very important to always have a First Aid Kit available. Here’s the First Aid Kit we carry:

There have been many times when we’ve had to grab it for something while out camping.

It’s also just as important to have a First Aid Kit for your pets because you never know when you will need it and it’s better to be on the safe side and have one. Here’s the Pet First Aid Kit we carry:

Safe RV Camping to you All!

Thank you for reading RV Camping Severe Weather Awareness Part 4! Click on the links below to read our other stories in this series on RV Camping Severe Weather Awareness!