Be Weather Wise with Weather Alerts

Nothing can spoil a camping trip like severe weather storms in the area. Campers should have access to weather alerts in order to find shelter and be safe during dangerous weather. This summer has been a record breaker for heat and wild, fierce storms hitting all areas of the USA. You need to have a way to get information about weather alerts so you can stay safe and dry.

Campground Procedures

Tornadoes were swirling all around us when we stayed in a Georgia campground. We took shelter in their concrete block laundry room along with several other families. It isn’t an ideal way to meet your fellow campers, but we bonded by riding out the storm together in that small area. Fortunately for us the tornadoes stayed north of us so there was no damage to the campers or campground that night.

Most reputable campgrounds will have procedures in place to warn campers about severe storms approaching. There may be a sign at check-in about the weather conditions. The receptionist may advise you of weather alerts and should tell you where to take shelter. Campgrounds usually designate the sturdiest building for storm shelters such as the shower or bathroom building or basement of the lodge.

Many campgrounds have people responsible to notify you of watches and warnings by stopping at each campsite or announcing the weather conditions by driving through the sites with a bull horn. If you are near a city, you will hear the sirens go off in town indicating a tornado is on its way and you should seek shelter.

Cell Phone Alerts

In this new age of technology, weather information can be sent directly to your cell phone either by voice or by text message. You will need to text or notify the cell phone service of your location so that the information will apply to that area. Check with your service provider for more information on weather alerts. Unfortunately many of us camp in areas where cell phones have no signal.

Weather Alert Radios

Camps and campgrounds have weather alert radios in their offices so they can warn campers of weather conditions. You can purchase a weather alert radio which you can use at home or on a camping trip. You will definitely know that a bad storm is approaching by the repeated loud squeal that signals dangerous storms. You can easily pack the radio with your rain gear. There are many choices of weather radios. I have included some samples at the end of this article.

Keeping an eye on the weather is important. Being prepared for all kinds of weather is a necessity.

~Janet Glaser

Janet and her husband, Ted, travel the roads of the USA in their fifth wheel RV meeting new  campers and getting together with old friends.  They love chasing the sunshine up north in the summer and down south in the winter always looking for new horizons while exploring this beautiful country. Janet is a freelance writer having published articles in RV magazines, newspapers, and magazines.