If you live in the Midwest like I do, the summer camping season also brings to mind that it’s tornado season. There’s no camper or recreational vehicle made that’s going to stand up to a tornado, so being prepared and informed in the event of bad weather is imperative.

Some campgrounds have designated tornado shelters and most, if not all, have some sort of tornado safety guidelines posted. The best advice I can give you is to ask what a person should do in case of severe weather when you check in at the campground.

For example, in the case of Wisconsin state campgrounds, they will send the rangers out to warn people of a tornado warning and will tell them where to seek shelter. But, a person can’t rely on this so have your own plans in place. Be aware of where the nearest study building or shelter is. If there is no shelter or if you are caught out in the open, follow these safety tips:

In Open Country - move away from the tornado’s path at right angles. If there isn’t time to escape, lie flat in the nearest ditch or ravine or steep hillside and cover the back of your head and neck. Stay out from under large trees, branches, and high power electric lines. Keep alert for flash floods that often accompany such storms, especially if you are in a low lying area.

You may think you are safer in your vehicle or in your RV. You aren’t. Vehicles and recreational vehicles are very vulnerable during strong wind storms and can easily be flipped over. Get out of your RV, tent, or vehicle (unless you are using the vehicle to escape the storm at a right angle but be cautious when deciding to do this - make sure you can escape at a right angle; otherwise you are putting yourself in danger by being in the vehicle).

Instead, go to the nearest shelter. Underground ones (basements) are the best shelter but they are seldom available at campgrounds. A sturdy concerte, brick, or stone building can offer adequate protection but stay away from the windows and doors. In many campgrounds, the concrete bathroom buildings are the designated shelter areas. Go inside and into one of the stalls for the most protection.

Wood cabins are not a good shelter. Get out of those and find a shelter, concrete building, or ditch, hill or ravine to lie flat in.

A big misconception is that the area under an overpass is a safe place to seek shelter if you are in your vehicle when a storm approaches. It isn’t. The wind and debris from the storm are easily funneled under them creating a dangerous situation for anyone trying to seek shelter there. Instead, leave your vehicle and lie flat in a ditch or other depression.

Consider purchasing a weather radio that you can take with you when you go camping.

For more tornado safety information, go to the national oceanic and atmospheric administation website on tornado safety