3 Tips for Staying Flood-Safe in your RV

Hitting the road in your campervan, caravan or motorhome will undoubtedly be one of the most unforgettable experiences that you have in your lifetime. But it’s also crucial that you stay safe out there on the roads. With the recent floods in Queensland and New South Wales at the forefront of everyone’s thoughts, we’ve decided to share our top tips for keeping RVers safe during ‘rain bombs’. Check them out:

Plan Your Journey

The beauty of the RV life is that we can move around from place to place, seeing all over the country. But, if you know that there’s potential flooding in the area, it’s important to remember that you might not be able to move around so freely- or safely. If you’re currently in a town that’s subject to flood warnings, or if you know you might be driving through an area with floods, it’s crucial that you map out your route. This will make sure you’re aware of any roads that are closed, flooded or experiencing challenging conditions.

Below are some great resources that you can use for updates, depending on where you are in our beautiful country:

• NSW: https://www.livetraffic.com/
• Tasmania: https://www.transport.tas.gov.au/projectsplanning/road_closures_and_delays
• Victoria: https://traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au/
• SA: https://www.traffic.sa.gov.au/
• WA: https://travelmap.mainroads.wa.gov.au/Home/Map
• NT: https://roadreport.nt.gov.au/home
• Queensland: https://roadconditions.racq.com.au/ (This interactive map will have updates on road conditions across the entire country but will have the  most current and up to date info when it comes to Queensland roads)

It’s important to remember that planning your journey properly won’t just save you from lengthy traffic delays. Driving through flood waters or flood-damaged roads can be extremely dangerous so it’s never worth the risk. And the beauty of the RV life is that you can simply turn around and set up camp somewhere that’s’ safe.

A Flood Survival Kit

While no one likes to think about potentially being stranded in an emergency weather situation, it’s still vital that you prepare for all weather conditions before heading off on your next epic road trip. During floods, you might find that the road out of your campsite is temporarily cut off or you might discover that your RV has been compromised by adverse weather conditions.

In these scenarios, there’s no need to panic. Even though you’ll usually find yourself back on the road in a day or two, but it is still important to ensure that you have the right supplies on board. Below are some items that we recommend always keeping in your campervan, motorhome or caravan:

• Extra water and non-perishable foods: you’ll be thankful you packed these extra supplies if you ever find yourself in a situation where you don’t have access to any grocery or convenience stores.
• Warning triangles: If you end up hitting a pothole and have to change your tyre or wait for roadside assistance, warning triangles will make sure that you’re visible to other drivers, helping to avoid a collision.
• A waterproof container: Whether it’s an airtight tub or a waterproof bag, this will come in handy for storing your valuables and documents in a scenario where the rain is finding it’s way into more nooks and crannies than usual.
• Water purification tablets: If you ever do run out of water, purification tablets will make any water safe to drink. Just collect rain water (which there’s likely to be a lot of), follow the directions on the purification tablets’ packaging and you’ll be good to go.

Take the Seasons into Consideration

In Australia, we’re lucky to live in such a vast and diverse country. However, because it’s so diverse, it means that the climate and landscapes are constantly evolving. When planning your RV adventure, make sure to do some research on travelling in each state, and how the time of year could potentially will affect your plans.

For example, if you’re keen to explore the Northern Territory, it’s much safer to head there during the dry season which lasts from May to October. This is because the Northern Territory is much more prone to flooding from November to April (hence why this period is called the wet season) and, as someone who is unfamiliar with the landscape and the roads, you could quickly find yourself stranded somewhere for much longer than you had planned.

Having an awareness around how the seasons impact on each part of Australia(rewording needed) , and factoring this into your route, will help to ensure that you stay safe and avoid high chances of flooding during your time on the road.

Lastly, we’d like to remind everyone of Queensland’s mantra: if it’s flooded, forget it. Staying safe on the roads should always be your first priority. For more travel inspo, tips and advice on being an RV Boss, check out our blog. Or if you’re looking for your dream home on wheels, browse our listings today. We have a range of options to suit all travellers.