How to Camp Safely in Severe Weather
Imagine this scenario: it’s your first time camping, and you just woke up. A warm, sunny day greets you, inviting you to soak in the outdoors. But in mere minutes, the weather turns gloomy, rain starts pouring down and thunderstorms roar everywhere. The pounding rain is deafening, amplifying the danger you’re in—reminding you that you’re truly at nature’s mercy. A blaring emergency alert makes you jump. You stare helplessly at the tornado warning on your phone screen. At that moment, you watch your kids’ terrified faces and do the only thing you can do. You look up and pray.
That’s exactly what I did when we faced a tornado.
Thankfully for us, we came out unscathed—except for some broken poles on our dining shelter.
Severe weather events, like tornadoes, don’t happen often, but when you’re outdoors in the elements, it’s prudent to be vigilant. As someone new to the outdoors, I was caught off guard. But not anymore. Here’s how I now prepare to keep my family safe from bad weather while camping.
Preparation Is Key
Planning is the first step to staying safe. Add your destination to your weather app, so you can track the weather a few days before you arrive. Also, scan Environment Canada’s alerts page to check for any potential warnings.
Stormy weather not only brings a deluge, but it also generously adds lightning, thunder and wind to the mix. So anytime you’re outdoors, prepare for every scenario. That starts with choosing a campsite that is not out in the open or too close to water bodies. Instead, find one in a wooded area with a slight inclination to help with water drainage. You can look for this information while booking your campsite. For instance, Ontario Parks lists the amount of pad slope for every campsite.
Bring rain jackets, umbrellas and extra pairs of socks to stay dry. You may also be looking forward to devouring the tender, juicy BBQ meats and s’mores, but it’s not always possible in the rain. So pack dry foods for a quick bite. A dining shelter and camping stove are handy for eating hot food when it’s pouring. Also, don’t forget portable chargers for your gadgets.
Secure Your Tent
To keep the elements out, your shelter in the Great Outdoors should be sturdy. Our eight-person tent from Coleman has stood the test of a tornado, a few thunderstorms and several downpours. We have a cabin tent, but a dome tent is better for wind resistance. Invest in quality gear—you’ll thank yourself later.
“I want to lie down and look at the stars,” my 11-year-old would protest every time we added the rainfly. But the moment we set up camp, the rainfly goes up, followed by a tarp over our tent. You don’t want to be scrambling in the middle of the night to set them up in the pouring rain. Your tarp should be at a slanted angle for the water to flow out and not pool in the fabric. Make sure it slopes away from your tent’s entrance, so you don’t step on puddles every time you enter and exit your tent. Also, don’t forget the groundsheet to keep your tent’s floor dry.
After setting up tents, many of us leave the guy lines hanging loosely. But make it a habit to tie them. They not only keep your tent secure in the wind but also help with ventilation, preventing condensation buildup during rain.
Pay Attention to the Environment
Even with good shelter and gadgets, it helps to be outdoors-savvy. Be mindful of the subtle changes in the weather. The sun may be shining bright, but if you’re feeling unusually sticky and uncomfortable, you know rain is coming. The air fills with water vapour, increasing humidity before rain.
On our recent trip to Sandbanks Provincial Park, there was a thunderstorm watch. But the clear blue sky told a different story, so we headed to a trail, choosing to ignore the hot, humid air. Halfway through, sure enough, the clouds started rolling in. Thanks to the AllTrails app, we took a shortcut to reach the trailhead. We got into the park store just in time, right before the skies opened up.
Remember, when thunder roars, go indoors, ideally to a solid structure, like the park office, store or a comfort station. In case of a severe thunderstorm or tornado warning, your tent or car may not be safe.
Also, look for sudden changes in bird behaviour. If the woods are eerily silent, you should suspect something is up. Birds are nature’s own warning system; they often go quiet before a storm.
Before you set up your tent, check for broken or dead branches hanging from the trees. Called widow-makers, they can fall during rain or heavy wind and damage your tent or cause injuries.
Know When to Pack Up
Your best-laid plans are not always immune to Mother Nature’s fury. You may have planned the trip to the T or are looking forward to the once-a-season wildflower trail, but if everyone’s wet, hungry and miserable, let it go. There will always be another adventure.
After the tornado, we left immediately because there were pools of water everywhere, and we didn’t want to be a feast for the mosquitoes that would come at night. Be proactive and cancel, reschedule or shorten your trip if you see consecutive wet days. This will save a lot of effort and heartbreak later.
Next time you’re stuck in severe weather, don’t just pray helplessly. Learn some fundamental safety tips and have fun camping—come rain, shine or storm.
