Location, Location, Location-emergency!!!

[twokniveskatie]

Okay, I just had a bit of a scare today and I want to throw it out there for some ideas/discussion.&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>I was traveling from San Antonio back to the northeast. Noodling down interstate 35 just south of Dallas, my phone starts blaring a tornado warning. ( I am grateful for the new weather alert I just had installed on my iPhone). I took the next exit and pulled over in a cracker barrel parking lot in the shadow of the interstate. I didn't know what else to do.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The tornado tracked up the other side of the interstate. We were 0.2 miles from Lancaster Texas where tractor trailers were being tossed in the air.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>I was listening to the weather alert telling what exits of the interstate were in the direct path of the tornado. Counties and towns were being mentioned, but I wasn't paying attention to the road signs, and just didn't know if I should hunker down, or go. The restaurant wouldn't let us shelter inside, so I wrapped Mutt in a blanket and we waited it out in the van.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Besides the obvious fact that I need to be more aware of my surroundings and exit numbers. I can't think of how in the world to find out where you are in a strange area like that. A car pulled up next to me and a girl jumped out and I asked her where we were. She said she didn't know, she was just going onto the restaurant for shelter. Apparently she was a traveler too.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Anybody experienced anything like this? Got any ideas on what I could have done differently?</div><div><br></div><div><br></div>

 

[yesican]

<p>If you survived, you did the right thing!&nbsp; I am very glad you are ok Katie.&nbsp; Sounds like your instincts saved your life.&nbsp; Tornadoes determine their own path and they aren't usually straight.&nbsp; Thanks for letting us know, I'll be saying a prayer for you.</p>

 

[mockturtle]

I can't believe the restaurant refused you shelter!! <img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/confused.gif" align="absmiddle" border="0">&nbsp;&nbsp; We were under tornado warning one time just west of Ft. Worth and everyone in the RV park was urged to go into the building, which we did, and we hunkered down in the laundry room.&nbsp; I remember the Rangers were playing that night and, on TV, they showed the fans being herded into the lower tiers of the stadium.&nbsp; The tornado passed about two miles north of us.&nbsp; Scary but not nearly as scary as your situation!&nbsp; A vehicle is no place to be in a tornado.&nbsp; BTW, we took our dog into the building with us. <br>

 

[SoulRaven]

i would first pen a letter to the head of "Cracker Barrel" and explain what happened to you, they were very irresponsible not to offer safe haven and could have cost life and limb...<br><br>Second i would invest in a GPS device, I prefer the Garmin Nuvi series, but with research and asking around you will find something right for you... this would have told you where you were, given direction to where you want to go, and also some like mine give the phone numbers to what ever i am looking for... The best bet in this situation is to find a public library, police or fire station, or any public building/shelter close by...<br><br>Thank God you made it through this... We all must also be aware of the weather patterns along our routes, tornado's are a Spring thing through the plains including Texas, they also come with massive rains, flooding and huge hail...<br><br>

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

Kati, any idea which Cracker Barrel you were at? I would love to express my indignation to corporate, it could have been me with my little dog. Gee wiz, didn't they learn anything from George Bush and the hurricane? That changed policy.<BR><FONT color=#ff0000><B>Dragonfly</B></FONT><BR>

 

[karl]

Glad your ok. Not impressed with (that) Cracker Barrel now.....<br>I second the Garmin for knowing where you are- my daughter gave me one and it is fantastic. Pretty idiot proof too!<br>You headed back NE where we have "safer" weather?<br><br>

 

[twokniveskatie]

Before the next round of storms came through, management came to us on the porch where we were trying to get info, and welcomed Mutt with open arms. He went into the store where he met staff and saw the bathroom where we would go if necessary. We were reassured that he was welcome anytime. After the second round of storms, he was fed a grilled cheese sandwich. I was very grateful to them.&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>To make the story even stranger, a little while later we were back on the porch talking to some travelers about the wisdom of staying put for awhile, and the evening manager came out and reassured me that Mutt was welcome anytime. She made some comment about they knew not to pet him, and everyone was amazed at how he improved my mobility. I was thoroughly confused. Turns out they thought he was a service dog. Some worker had seen him calmly walking at heel and being so obedient and told the manager that he was a seeing eye dog. Wtf? I was quick to dispel that idea. There is a huge fine for impersonating a service dog, and I wanted it clear that I never ever represented him as one. I certainly wasn't blind. So it came back to Mutt being allowed simply because he was perceived as a service dog, although everyone said if it was them, they wouldn't have turned anyone away at the door.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>As to the gps thing, three days ago, before I left Sam Antonio, I installed a severe weather tracker and warning app on my iPhone. I was reluctant, because it was $10. Best $10 I ever spent. It tracks your whereabouts as you travel and sends alerts for your current location. I was on I-35 when the warning came over the phone as a text and a blaring alarm. I took the next exit which may have kept me from getting caught in a traffic snarl up. What was confusing to me was not knowing the surrounding towns and being so disoriented as to direction and orientation. After a few minutes it became obvious which way the darkness was advancing. A huge black cloud was moving along the other side of the interstate, but I told Ron it didn't look like a funnel. turns out it was the tornado, but because of being so close to the overpass, I was only seeing the top of it. Meanwhile when the announcer is reading off exits and towns &nbsp;and expected arrival times of the tornadoes ( there were 2 on the ground by then), I was so disoriented.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>What I learned:</div><div><br></div><div>My gps warning app has a button to push to see radar and a pin to show your location in relationship to the storm. Distances are a little hard to judge but it really is accurate to your location.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Don't get so hung up on listening to the announcer that you don't pay attention to your surroundings. Don't expect your phone to always work. Mine did but a few people there lost service for a bit. I will keep a little compass handy from now on. I was desparate to know the direction. I will be more aware of where I am traveling. When I am on long stints on the highway, my mind wanders. I didn't have a clue what exit I was near. The exit sign was right above is but I couldn't see it in the visibility.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>I set up an emergency go bag in the van after an episode in flagstaff ax where I had to evacuate the van during a breakdown on an overpass in rush hour traffic. I left the van without anything. This time, I had a bag handy with my identification, snacks and water, ID, a leash, and a change of clothes, etc. It was very comforting to have that near to hand.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The good thing is that I was contacted by the developers of the weather app. Last night I decided to finally rate the app, and sent them an email of thanks. They have contacted me and are wanting input on the app and ways to improve it. We'll see what we come up with.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Kate</div>

 

[twokniveskatie]

<div>I am,Karl. For a bit anyhow &nbsp;</div><div><br></div>

Glad your ok. Not impressed with (that) Cracker Barrel now.....<br>I second the Garmin for knowing where you are- my daughter gave me one and it is fantastic. Pretty idiot proof too!<br>You headed back NE where we have "safer" weather?<br><br>

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;My buddy Nick and I got real hosed and did some high speed driving through hurricane Mitch in Florida.. 'course we were pretty well non-stop drunk from the Can/US border at Sumas Washington till we got back. Aaahhhh.. those were the days.<br>

 

[cyndi]

Glad you're safe, kate!!!<br>

 

[akrvbob]

Katie, there are lots of people pretending to be survivors, but you are the real thing. It seems life has thrown just about everything it can at you and you have not only survived, you have thrived!! One day I hope to be like you!!<br><br>Are you ever going to make it out west again? I know you are torn between your family back east, but I think your heart belongs out here with your many friends who love you so much. Don't we deserve to have you around for awhile?<br><br>Katie, always hold onto the fact the you are truly, deeply loved, even when the world seems to be flying away all around you! Bob<br><br>

 

[phoenix900]

Sorry for your ordeal. Great you made it ok. In answer to your question, I have an Iphone that was given to me that I constantly use to look up where I am and where I want to go. It's map feature goes to google maps and you can find by type (library restaurant, grocery gas or name El Pollo Loco ). Huge help to me.<br><br>take care<br><br>

 

[twokniveskatie]

<div>Bob, and here I am trying to be more like you. Won't that create a doppelgänger and isn't that risky to the universe or something?</div><div><br></div><div>This winter for sure, my friend. I wasn't on the road in time to make the RTR this year but will do so next year.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Thank you, Bob. While sitting in Texas Tuesday, waiting to see if we were in the path of any of the tornados, I was very scared, but felt a profound sense of love, maybe the most loved I have ever felt in my life. It was weird. I tried to describe it here:</div><div><br></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">http://twokniveskatie.blogspot.com/2012/04/im-scardy-cat.html?m=1</span><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="'.Helvetica NeueUI'"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469);"><br></span></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="'.Helvetica NeueUI'"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469);">I am so grateful you are my friend.&nbsp;<br></span></font><div><br></div>

Katie, there are lots of people pretending to be survivors, but you are the real thing. It seems life has thrown just about everything it can at you and you have not only survived, you have thrived!! One day I hope to be like you!!<br><br>Are you ever going to make it out west again? I know you are torn between your family back east, but I think your heart belongs out here with your many friends who love you so much. Don't we deserve to have you around for awhile?<br><br>Katie, always hold onto the fact the you are truly, deeply loved, even when the world seems to be flying away all around you! Bob<br><br>

</div>

 

[twokniveskatie]

Thanks everybody for your good thoughts and emails &nbsp;I have gotten many good suggestions for dealing with such a situation.&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>Phoenix900, I looked Round and found that app, stuck away in a folder. It is now on my toolbar thingy. Thank-you!</div><div><br></div><div>Edited to add: I also stopped and bought a little pin on ball comPass that I will keep handy. At least I'll know which direction to watch!</div>

 

[yesican]

<p>Great story Dorothy...and your little dog Toto too.</p>

 

[karl]

Katie, read your blog, took a minute, got something in my eye......<br><span id="post_message_1272981910"><br></span>I consider Katie and Mutt hero's who I have yet to meet....gotta fix that.<br><br>

 

[angeli]

Katie,<br><br>I just saw this thread tonight, and read your blog post.&nbsp; Wow, girl.&nbsp; I don't know you, never met you.&nbsp; But I love you.&nbsp; You spoke a deep truth, you and your dog.&nbsp; Someday I'll be honored to meet you on the road.&nbsp; Maybe an RTR or something.<br><br>My little mutts salute you as well.&nbsp; Besides telling me that they never signed up for tornadoes and if I know what's good for me, I'll make sure they never have to see one.&nbsp; They know where I sleep....&nbsp; <img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/eek.gif" align="absmiddle" border="0"><br><br><br>

 

[Nemo]

<div>This winter for sure, my friend. I wasn't on the road in time to make the RTR this year but will do so next year.&nbsp;</div><br><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="'.Helvetica NeueUI'"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469);"></span></font><div><br></div><br>

<br><br>You better stop by the property on the way through Katie!! <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br><br></div>

 

[twokniveskatie]

Hey everyone, thanks for all the nice comments. I look forward to meeting so many of you.&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>Steve, I can't wait to see the property and to share a fire again, although I hope we will be at the RTR together too!</div><div><br></div><div>I am revisiting this because a friend reminded me that I am too often lost. I wouldn't call it lost, really, because that implies you are not on the right place. Sometimes I am where I want to be, but just don't know "where" that is. Once, while hanging out with the gang in Pahrump, Mutt and I ended up staying overnight in the hills...the view of the valley was amazing. In the morning, our tire was flat. We had a signal so were able to call AAA, but we had a very hard time explaining where we were. "in the desert. North of town. By the snow covered peak. No, there are no other cars around. We ARE the only car. for miles"</div><div><br></div><div>They did eventually find us, and I do remember my vow to pay more attention to where I am. I guess I will have to practice that.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div>

 

[Seraphim]

<p>Somehow I missed this thread previously&nbsp; - just wanted to say I'm glad you're OK.</p>