RV emergency kits, evacuation and severe-weather shelter
Identify the appropriate shelter and evacuation route when you arrive, before severe weather threatens. Keep medicines, communication, essential documents and supplies accessible. If a warning requires immediate shelter, protect people rather than delaying to hitch, retract equipment or save the RV.
Lightning shelter and tornado shelter are different decisions
NWS lightning guidance calls for a substantial building or an enclosed metal-topped vehicle with windows up, and at least 30 minutes in safe shelter after the last thunder. That does not make a vehicle a tornado shelter.
NWS tornado guidance says being in a vehicle is not safe and directs people toward suitable shelter. Identify the campground’s designated shelter, how to enter it after hours and whether it accepts pets. A shed, picnic roof or storage building is not automatically suitable.
| Hazard | Question to settle at arrival |
|---|---|
| Tornado or destructive wind | Where is the suitable shelter, and how can everyone reach it? |
| Lightning | Which substantial building or suitable enclosed vehicle is available? |
| Flood | Which higher-ground route avoids low crossings and dry washes? |
| Wildfire or evacuation order | Which authorized exit is open, and where will you go? |
A time calculation can expose an unusable plan
Assume collecting the family and essential medicines takes 5 minutes and reaching shelter takes another 8. That is 13 minutes before any delay. If the plan requires packing the RV first, it adds time that may not be available; arrange access and essential supplies in advance.
Flood depth figures are warnings, not drive-through limits
NWS Amarillo warns that vehicles can lose road contact in six inches of water and pickups or SUVs can be swept away in 18–24 inches of flowing water. Do not estimate that a high RV can cross safely. Turn around before a flooded road and obey closures.
Keep drinking water, food, first-aid supplies, required medicines, lights, batteries, chargers and accessible identity and insurance information. Tailor quantities to the people, pets, climate and ability to leave. Check alert coverage and the campground’s warning system rather than relying on one phone notification.
Review fire escape and alarms and the actual RV’s emergency-exit instructions. Prepare equipment for forecast weather early when safe; do not work outside on awnings or slides while an immediate threat is approaching.