The news spreads as quickly as wildfires themselves: You’re in the path of a hurricane, a tornado is coming, a wildfire has sparked just a few miles north of you, the river has flooded… These extreme weather events are becoming a “normal” part of our weather patterns but, lucky for us RVers, our RVs can serve as a quick emergency getaway.
In a recent poll, nearly a third of RVtravel.com readers reported they had faced the unexpected challenge of being evacuated from a campground. Four percent of them have had to evacuate more than once.
Readers share their campground evacuation stories
“Idaho Bob” recounts a series of evacuations that spanned 25 years and multiple states. He shares, “Most recently, we were told to leave a Washington state park because of water problems with the public restroom. The entire campground was being closed. Additionally, we self-evacuated four times due to campground tornado threats in Georgia, Texas, Tennessee and Mississippi.”
Bob’s experience reflects a pattern common among RV travelers—dealing with unforeseen weather threats that force them to leave their campsite in haste. Bob has adapted by carrying small folding chairs suitable for cramped shelter spaces like restrooms to better handle these unexpected situations.
Wildfires, too, pose a significant threat. Lindy Maynes remembers an intense evacuation from Point Mugu campground in California due to an out-of-control fire. “We were told to head south to another campground,” she recalls. “At 9 p.m., rangers came to our door to tell us the fire was headed south, and we had to leave fast!”
In a remarkable feat of quick thinking, Lindy and her party packed up in less than 10 minutes and managed to outrun the fire, eventually finding refuge in a police station parking lot. The local police, sympathetic to their plight, even checked in to ensure their safety.
Flooding is another hazard that RV travelers contend with. Clint’s experience at Grapevine Lake in Texas illustrates this challenge. “We were woken up at 4 a.m. by the Army Corps of Engineers. The lake was flooding, and we had to move to higher ground.” In such scenarios, early warnings and swift action are crucial to avoiding disaster.
Donny’s story is a dramatic testament to the unpredictable nature of wildfires. “About six years ago, we had to evacuate from our home in north central Washington due to a forest fire. We packed up the motorhome in less than 30 minutes and drove three hours north to an RV park we liked. Unfortunately, another fire started nearby, and we had to evacuate again after less than 24 hours. We ended up staying in the RV for two weeks until we could safely return home.”
Hurricanes also pose a significant threat to RV travelers. Marie Beschen recalls a tense evacuation from a Texas state park near the Oklahoma border. “A hurricane was coming, and the ranger evacuated all of us out,” she explained. “My son went home, and we went in the direction far away that was suggested and hunkered down safely.” Such events remind RV travelers of the importance of heeding evacuation orders promptly.
For some, the challenge isn’t about evacuation, but being stuck in a difficult situation. Roy shares, “Actually evacuated, no, but was stuck in one three times. Twice because the road in and out was flooded and once when a downed tree blocked the road. We’ve been without power for a couple of days but we have a generator. We’ve also had an RV totaled by a flood and one destroyed by a tree branch. We have an expression among my RV friends that goes, ‘When things go wrong is when a trip becomes an adventure.’”
Preparedness is key!
These stories underscore a vital lesson for all RV travelers: Preparedness is key. Always ensure your RV is ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice. Have an emergency plan in place, keep essential supplies stocked, and stay informed about weather conditions and potential hazards. Keep an emergency weather radio on hand.
By being prepared, you can turn potential crises into manageable challenges, keeping your adventures safe and enjoyable.
RELATED
- Are you ready for an emergency? Sure?
- Every RVer should keep this emergency safety item handy at all times
- Why every RVer needs to have a bug out bag
##RVT1169
Thank you, RV Travel! 🙂 You make the point well and convincingly. While at home, we could not leave in under an hour, but neither would it be much greater than an hour. Opening the RV barn would be part of the hold-up, as would packing food and clothes. We leave little in the RV between trips to avoid attracting mice. Thanks again, have a great day, safe travels, and safe stays! 🙂