There’s a saying that goes, “Don’t mess with Texas.” Unfortunately, as John and Billie Liparito traveled through the “Lone Stars” state in their RV, they learned firsthand why you shouldn’t mess with Texas weather.
Fortunately, the couple survived to tell of their adventure and warn others of the dangers of severe weather and RVs.
Today we learn how this couple survived a tornado in their RV. Let’s get started!
Tornado destroys couple’s mobile home and travel plans
When a tornado hit the Houston area in late January 2023, John and Billie Liparito were in their mobile home. John described the situation to Fox 26 television in Houston, saying, “It was hell.”
The couple captured the moments leading up to the tornado that hit the area where they were trying to ride out the storm.
Billie described the storm’s path as she told reporters, “It came through on the driver’s side, went across the road, landed over there and caught this big trailer. It made a big U around us.”
The New York couple was on their way to California. However, the situation threw a pretty big wrench in the works.
How big is the damage?
When the storm passed, the couple left their mobile home to survey the damage. As the ground was littered with roofing and other building materials, they turned their attention to their damaged mobile home.
Damage included holes on the driver’s side, broken windows, damaged heat pumps, and a destroyed satellite dish and antenna. But her spirit and desire to travel remain unbroken.
The couple had planned to stay in Houston for just a few days, but the timing was far from ideal. The couple shared that they and their damaged vehicle made it to Louisiana. It will take some time to repair, but they will make it.
A wedding day they will never forget
To make matters worse, the storm fell on the couple’s 47th wedding anniversary. Fortunately, throughout their years of marriage, the couple has forged a bond that even a storm the size of Texas can’t break.
They say they’ve been through some other hairy situations and always get up, eat breakfast and move on. It is undoubtedly an anniversary they will never forget.
Tips for RV travel during storms
Unfortunately, severe weather can happen with or without notice. Fortunately, there are some things you can do if you find yourself in extreme weather.
Here are some tips to help you stay safe when storms try to ruin your RV adventure.
Keep an eye on the weather forecast
Always pay attention to the weather forecast to increase your safety when traveling by RV. Thanks to technology, meteorologists can predict potentially dangerous storms. They may not be able to predict all of them, but keeping an eye on the forecast can drastically increase your safety.
Whether you’re watching a local news station or checking the report on your phone, you need to be aware of potential problems.
If you plan to be in remote areas where television or cell phone reception may not be available, you should own a weather radio. These devices allow you to receive weather alerts and emergency information.
If you receive timely information, you will have time to prepare yourself and your RV. Even if no storms are forecast, keep an eye on the skies. Mother Nature can be unpredictable and change her mind very quickly.
Remember: Traveling on the road can be dangerous, and you never know what can happen. This camper experienced a nightmare on his trip when his motorhome caught fire on the highway!
Fill your tanks
Many RV owners fill their tanks to prepare for a severe storm, especially high winds. A gallon of water weighs about 8 pounds.
Depending on the size of your tanks, you can add a significant amount of weight to your RV. This can lower the center of gravity and make the motorhome more resistant to strong winds.
This option is usually only considered in areas or campgrounds where you can easily fill and empty your tanks. However, consider this option if you are faced with a severe storm and fear that your vehicle will tip over on its side.
Connection to towing vehicle
If you have a towable RV, connecting it to your tow vehicle can also improve your safety. By hitching to your towing vehicle, the truck can absorb some of the wind movement and increase the stability of your RV.
Will this keep your rig from tipping over? Unfortunately, no. However, it does make it much harder for the wind to turn the rig on its side.
Find a wind block
If you can move your equipment, finding a wind block can improve your overall safety. This can be a natural wind obstacle such as a large rock formation or a man-made wind obstacle such as a large building or other structure.
Extreme winds can easily cause a motorhome to tip over, especially if they hit the broadside of the motorhome. It can act like a massive wind sail and push even the heaviest RVs onto their sides.
Be aware of the wind direction and find a place where you can park safely to ride out the storm. If you are parking next to a business or other building, always obtain a permit. If you explain the situation to the owners, they will likely be understanding and accommodate you.
Leave your vehicle if necessary
Unfortunately, there may come a time when it is best to abandon the facility. Although this can be a difficult decision, you will have to make it at some point.
Depending on how much time you have, you may want to get any important documents or items you need out of your RV. Chances are you don’t know what you will find the next time you see your RV.
Depending on the situation, you may have to leave your RV with nothing but the clothes on your back. In this case, don’t waste time collecting items.
You can replace most things in your RV. So don’t risk your life trying to save something that you can retrieve later.
Remember: A motorhome overturned and the wind and this insurance company still has not helped the camper! Click on the link to find out why
Pay attention to the weather when driving a motorhome
As John and Billie have shown us, RVers need to be prepared for the weather. Have a plan in place in case your trip takes you through tornado alley or other places known for severe weather.
Keep an eye on the weather forecast, and don’t hesitate to take action. If you wait until weather conditions worsen, it may be too late to take action.
When preparing for severe weather, it’s better to be safe than sorry.