Camping With Tornadoes

Camping With Tornadoes
By Benedict Smythe

Tornadoes are normal occurrences. More than a hundred tornadoes
visit the various counties of the United States on a yearly
basis. In addition to that, tornadoes often pay a frequent visit
to the Great and High Plains regions of the country. As such, if
you are planning to have a camping trip out in the mountains in
early or late spring, you ought to be prepared to handle
tornadoes that might come your way especially because of the
fact that almost seventy percent of all the camping sites in the
country are quite vulnerable to tornadoes.

a. When you are on the highway and you are just about to head
for camp or go home, you can probably drive away from an
approaching tornado that’s still miles away from you. However,
before you start driving away, make sure that you are well aware
of the direction of the tornado’s movement. If the tornado is
moving towards the east, you should drive south. If the tornado
is moving north, drive towards the east. Bear in mind that you
should always drive to the right of its direction as it is most
likely to go straight. However, keep in mind that tornadoes
change directions frequently and you cannot exactly tell where
it is headed so you have to be ready at all times.

b. Most tornadoes move at more than sixty miles per hour. At
this rate, your vehicle can probably outrun it provided that the
road that you are on allows you to drive at such speed. If you
think that your vehicle is not capable of running at that speed
or if there are many roadblocks on your way, you might as well
abandon your car and run towards the best shelter that you can
see. Never stay inside your vehicle assuming that it can protect
you from the approaching tornado. Take note of the fact that
aside from the wind that can easily smash your car by picking it
up and tumbling it down, your vehicle can be hit by flying
debris.

c. Do not try to outrun the tornadoes on foot. This is not
possible. Find a safe shelter quickly. Do not go under
overpasses. They are not in the list of adequate tornado
shelters, the best shelters would be those that can protect you
from flying debris and those that are firmly rooted in the
ground. Among these shelters are ditches and caves. Most flimsy
buildings, cabins, and houses are not capable of protecting you.
If you want to protect yourself, you should get low and stay out
of the wind.

d. When you are already inside the best shelter that you can
find, make sure that you cover your head with something hard in
order to protect it from flying debris. If there are no hard
objects that you can use, you can use your hands. Also, make it
a point to hang onto something that is firmly rooted in the
ground. It will be best if you can tie yourself on a firmly
rooted object in order to prevent yourself from being airborne.
Do not bother to open the windows of your shelter.

About the Author: Benedict Yossarian recommends Springfields
Army Surplus Store for all your camping needs.
http://www.springfields.co.uk http://www.dolphinpromotions.co.uk

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