How to Secure an RV During a Hurricane: 15 Safety Tips

Published September 29, 2022 | Last updated August 11, 2026

The best way to protect an RV from a hurricane is not to try to make the RV hurricane-proof. It is to get yourself, your family, and—if you still have time—your RV out of the path of the worst conditions before the wind gets dangerous.

Susan and I had to make that decision ourselves during Hurricane Nicole in November 2022.

We were driving our motorhome home to Maryland from Texas and were about two days ahead of the storm’s Florida landfall. We had two basic choices: take the western route toward I-85 or stay farther east and work our way toward I-95.

We chose the eastern route.

Our thinking was simple. We were not going to “outrun” a hurricane in a Class A motorhome. We wanted to get away from the area expected to see the strongest winds, then stop driving before the weather deteriorated.

We reached Savannah, Georgia, late on November 8 and stayed put at CreekFire RV Resort while Nicole passed. That turned out to be the right call for us because the storm moved inland across Florida and then curved through the Southeast.

I had no interest in driving a tall motorhome in high winds. A strong gust pushing us out of our lane—or worse—could have turned a weather problem into a serious accident.

That is the most important lesson in this entire article: leave early enough that you are not driving an RV once tropical-storm-force winds arrive.

1. Evacuate Early If Your RV Is in the Storm’s Path

RVs are high-profile vehicles and lightweight structures compared with permanent buildings. They are not where I would choose to ride out hurricane-force winds.

The National Weather Service warns that mobile homes are unsafe in high winds even when anchored, and high winds can overturn trailers and other high-profile vehicles.

If local officials issue an evacuation order, follow it.

And if you are traveling in an RV, I would make the decision earlier than I might in a passenger car. You need extra time for fuel, slower travel, traffic, finding an RV-safe route, and finding somewhere to stop.

Official hurricane information is available from the National Hurricane Center and your local National Weather Service office.

2. Do Not Focus Only on the Hurricane’s Category

A Category 1 hurricane can still be extremely dangerous.

The Saffir-Simpson category describes wind speed. It does not tell you the whole story about storm surge, flooding, tornadoes, rainfall, or how far dangerous weather extends from the center.

That matters to RVers because you may be hundreds of miles from landfall and still encounter dangerous crosswinds, flooded roads, tornadoes, or falling trees.

3. Study the Forecast Track, But Do Not Treat the Cone Like a Road Map

During Hurricane Nicole, Susan and I were watching the forecast track constantly because we had to choose between two completely different routes home.

The forecast cone shows where the storm’s center may travel. It does not show the full size of the storm or guarantee that dangerous weather stays inside the cone.

Use the cone as one part of the decision. Also look at wind forecasts, flood risk, road conditions, evacuation orders, and where you can safely stop.

4. Get Off the Road Before the Winds Get Strong

This is where our Hurricane Nicole experience really changed how I think about storm travel.

We were not trying to see how far we could get before conditions became bad.

We wanted to be parked before that happened.

The National Weather Service warns that one strong gust can overturn trailers and other high-profile vehicles. A motorhome also has a huge sidewall for crosswinds to push against.

If wind conditions are deteriorating, stopping early is far better than trying to squeeze in another hundred miles.

5. Plan More Than One Evacuation Route

Do not assume your normal route will remain usable.

Hurricanes can produce flooding, downed trees, road closures, bridge restrictions, accidents, and enormous traffic jams.

Have at least one backup route, and make sure the roads work for your RV’s height, weight, length, and towing setup.

I also like having an RV-specific route planner available. We use RV LIFE Trip Wizard because I can enter our RV dimensions and avoid roads that are not appropriate for the motorhome.

6. Fill the Fuel Tank Before Everyone Else Has the Same Idea

Do not wait until the evacuation begins to start looking for fuel.

A motorhome may need a lot more fuel than a passenger car, and stations along evacuation routes can develop long lines or run out.

I would top off the motorhome fuel tank early and keep the towed vehicle fueled too.

7. Choose Your Safe Stopping Point Before You Leave

Do not evacuate with the vague idea that you will “find somewhere later.”

During Nicole, Savannah became our stopping point. Once we got there, we were done driving until the worst weather passed.

Call ahead when possible. Campgrounds and hotels outside the projected impact zone can fill quickly when thousands of other people are evacuating too.

8. Never Assume the Campground Bathhouse Is a Hurricane Shelter

The old version of this article said campgrounds are required by law to have storm shelters and that bathhouses generally serve that purpose.

I would not rely on that.

Ask campground management where they want guests to go during severe weather. If they designate a shelter, find out exactly where it is before the storm arrives.

If there is no sturdy shelter available and dangerous winds are expected, that is another reason to leave early.

9. Bring In Everything Outside the RV

Chairs, grills, rugs, tables, bikes, decorations, sewer supports, satellite equipment, and even relatively small objects can become dangerous projectiles in strong wind.

Bring loose items inside or store them securely well before the storm arrives.

Do not wait until it is already blowing 30 or 40 mph to start chasing campsite gear around.

10. Retract the Awning, Slides, Antennas, and Other Protrusions

An awning is one of the first things I would bring in.

I would also retract slide-outs, antennas, exterior TV equipment, and anything else sticking out from the RV before high winds arrive.

The goal is to reduce exposed surface area and eliminate items that can tear loose.

11. Do Not Assume Tie-Down Straps Make an RV Safe to Occupy

I would be very careful with advice telling RV owners to drive screw anchors into the ground and strap down their motorhome or travel trailer.

Unless your RV manufacturer or a qualified professional has approved a specific anchoring method, improvised straps can damage the RV and may create a false sense of security.

Even a properly secured mobile structure is not the place to shelter from hurricane-force winds.

Secure the RV if you can do so using an approved method. Secure yourself by getting into a sturdy building.

12. Disconnect Utilities if You Evacuate and Conditions Allow

If you are leaving the RV behind, disconnect shore power and water when it is safe and appropriate to do so.

Follow the RV manufacturer’s instructions for batteries, propane, generators, and other systems rather than improvising.

If local officials instruct residents to shut off utilities, follow those instructions.

13. Photograph the RV Before the Storm

Before leaving, take current pictures and video of the entire RV.

I would photograph all four sides, the roof if you can do it safely, storage compartments, interior rooms, electronics, appliances, and expensive accessories.

Also keep your insurance information, registration, VIN, loan information, and important receipts somewhere you can access them remotely.

14. Pack a Hurricane Go Kit for the RV

We already carry many emergency supplies because we travel in a motorhome, but hurricane evacuation creates a few additional needs.

• Prescription medications
• Drinking water and easy food
• Charged phones and battery banks
• Flashlights
• NOAA weather radio
• Cash
• Insurance and identification documents
• Pet food, medications, leashes, and records
• Paper map or road atlas

Ready.gov maintains a more complete emergency supply kit checklist.

15. Do Not Return Until Officials Say It Is Safe

The storm passing does not mean the roads are safe.

Flooded roads, washed-out bridges, downed power lines, fallen trees, debris, and damaged fuel stations can all remain dangerous after the wind subsides.

If you evacuated, wait for official guidance before heading back into the affected area.

Can High Winds Tip Over a Motorhome?

Yes. But I would not use a single wind-speed number and say, “This is when an RV tips over.”

The actual risk depends on RV height, weight, orientation to the wind, gusts, surrounding terrain, whether you are moving, and many other factors.

The practical takeaway is easier: high-profile vehicles and trailers are vulnerable to strong crosswinds, and hurricane conditions are not the time to find out where your RV’s limit is.

Should You Ever Ride Out a Hurricane Inside an RV?

I would not.

FEMA and the National Weather Service advise people in travel trailers and mobile or manufactured housing to move to sturdier shelter before severe winds arrive.

If you cannot move the RV itself, leave the RV and shelter in a sturdy building.

The motorhome can be replaced.

What Hurricane Nicole Taught Us About RV Evacuation

Looking back, the biggest thing Susan and I did right during Hurricane Nicole was make our route decision early.

We did not wait until the storm was on top of us.

We watched the track, chose the route we believed would keep us farther from the worst winds, made it to Savannah with time to spare, and then stopped.

I think that last part matters.

When you own a motorhome, it is tempting to think mobility is always an advantage. Most of the time it is.

But once the wind becomes dangerous, mobility can become your biggest liability.

Use the RV’s wheels early. Then get off the road before the weather gives you no choice.

My Bottom Line

If a hurricane is threatening your RV, your first priority is people—not protecting the rig.

Leave early when evacuation makes sense. Keep the fuel tank full. Know more than one RV-safe route. Stop driving before the winds become strong. Secure loose gear, retract the RV, document it for insurance, and find a sturdy building if dangerous weather reaches you.

You can replace an RV. You cannot replace the people inside it.

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