Hurricane Season Prep for RVers on the Texas Gulf Coast

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Living on wheels has one big upside when a storm heads for the coast: your home can leave with you. But that only works if you plan ahead. If you're staying on the Texas Gulf Coast in summer or fall, a little prep now can save you a lot of stress later.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30. The busiest stretch is usually late summer into early fall. Here's how to get ready as an RVer in the Port Lavaca area.

Sign Up for Local Alerts and Know Where to Look

Good information is your first line of defense. Set this up before a storm ever forms.

• Local alerts. Calhoun County Emergency Management and the City of Port Lavaca both use the CodeRED alert system. They're separate lists, so sign up for each one through the city's website.
• Storm tracking. The National Hurricane Center posts official forecasts and storm cones. Your local National Weather Service office shares watches and warnings.
• Road conditions. DriveTexas.org from TxDOT shows closures and flooded roads across the state.
• Extra help. If you or someone traveling with you would need help to evacuate, the State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR) is free. You can sign up by calling 2-1-1.

Keep a battery or hand-crank weather radio in the rig too. Cell service and power can drop out during a storm.

Build a Go-Kit Before You Need It

Stores get crowded fast once a storm is in the news. Stock up early and keep your kit in one easy-to-grab spot.

• Bottled water, at least a few days' worth for everyone on board
• Non-perishable food that doesn't need cooking
• Prescription medicines and a basic first aid kit
• Flashlights, spare batteries and phone power banks
• Copies of IDs, insurance papers and your RV title or registration in a waterproof bag
• Cash in small bills, in case card readers are down
• Pet food, leashes, vet records and a crate if you travel with animals

Take photos of your RV inside and out before the season starts. If you ever need to file a claim, those photos will help.

Keep Your Rig Ready to Roll

When you live in an RV, your vehicle is your escape plan. Don't let small fixes stack up during storm season.

• Tires. Check pressure and look for cracks. Weather-checked tires are a bad surprise on an evacuation route.
• Fuel. Keep your tank at least half full. Gas lines grow long once an evacuation is called.
• Tow setup. Make sure your hitch, safety chains and tow car gear are in good shape and easy to hook up.
• Insurance. Call your agent and ask what your policy covers for wind and flood. Ask about evacuation costs too.

Practice your breakdown routine once or twice. If you can pull in slides, retract the awning, unhook utilities and stow loose gear quickly, leaving will feel much less frantic.

Have a Plan for Where You'll Go

Pick an inland spot before you need it. Many coastal RVers head north toward Victoria on US 87 and keep going farther inland as needed. Have a backup choice or two in mind, since campgrounds fill up quickly when a storm is coming.

Know your route ahead of time and check DriveTexas.org for closures before you go. Texas may also use contraflow lanes on major highways during big evacuations, so follow the signs and officials on the road.

Leave Early, and Don't Drive Into the Wind

This is the most important tip for RVers. Tall, boxy rigs catch wind like a sail. Strong gusts can push an RV or travel trailer across lanes or even tip it over. You do not want to be on the highway when tropical storm winds arrive.

That means leaving earlier than people in cars. If officials call for an evacuation, go right away. If a storm looks likely to come your way but no order has come yet, it's often smart to head out anyway. You can always come back once it passes.

Before you go, turn off your propane, unhook water, sewer and power, and secure anything outside your rig. Let a friend or family member know your route and where you plan to stop.

Plan Your Coastal Stay With Us

A lot of RVers enjoy the coast most in the cooler months, after storm season winds down. That's a great time for snowbirds to settle in for a few weeks or a few months. At Texas Lakeside RV Resort you'll find a gated entrance, security cameras and on-site management, plus full hookups, a pool and hot tub, and a private stocked fishing lake.

Daily, weekly and monthly stays are available. You can check our nightly, weekly and monthly rates or reach out to plan your stay. You can also call us at (361) 551-2267 during office hours.