Surviving an Extreme Weather Event in the Wild: What You Need to Know
Martin Banks 05.10.24
Extreme weather is unwelcome at home, but it’s even worse when you’re in the wilderness. You might not have the safety and security of a well-constructed shelter in the woods. Even the most durable tents will succumb to strong winds. How can you improvise and brace for the storm? Here’s what you need to know about surviving an extreme weather event in the wilderness.
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Surviving an Extreme Weather Event – Preventing Illnesses
You’ll have a lot on your mind in extreme weather, but one of your priorities should be preventing illnesses. You may associate hypothermia with freezing temperatures, but experts say it can occur above 40 F if you sweat or submerge yourself in cold water. Cold temperatures make your body exert more energy, so lacking food could contribute to this condition on your trip.
Preventing hypothermia means dressing warm for the outdoors and wearing multiple layers. Prioritize water-resistant clothing to minimize the moisture on your body, so wear multiple pairs of socks and waterproof boots to help your feet. If you or somebody in your group shows signs of hypothermia, warm their body by starting a fire and replacing their wet clothing.
Surviving an Extreme Weather Event – Seeking Shelter
Another priority during extreme weather is seeking shelter. This task could be tougher in the wilderness, requiring you to be creative. While your tent provides some protection, it’s not as good as a sturdy building. Find a storm shelter near your location if one is available. The Southeast and Great Plains are vulnerable to tornadoes, so you can find over 1,800 shelters across these regions.
Traditional shelters might not be an option if you’re deep in the wilderness. In this case, you’ll need to improvise with the resources around you. Start by finding a large, sturdy tree or an overhanging cliff to make protection easier. Fallen branches, bark and dry leaves are excellent materials for shelter-building because they provide insulation. Moss is another suitable insulator because its roots are dense and tightly woven.
Surviving an Extreme Weather Event – Fire-Making
Once you have shelter, it’s time to build a fire. If you don’t have tools, get creative with your survival skills to spark a blaze. For example, you can make fire with ashes and cotton or oil-soaked rags. When the flames are going, you won’t question how they came about.
Surviving an Extreme Weather Event – Preparing Smartly
Sudden storms in the wilderness mean you must be quick on your feet. However, you can better navigate this undesirable situation by preparing beforehand. The forecast will tell you the weather you can generally expect. How can you brace for sudden weather changes? It boils down to the gear you bring. Here are a few tools and gadgets you should pack to aid your survival:
- First-aid kit: This emergency kit is fundamental to wilderness survival. Pack a container with bandages, personal protective equipment (PPE) and ointments. Medications are another necessity.
- Flashlight: Storms can diminish visibility. Bring a sizable flashlight and headlamps with LED bulbs to maximize brightness.
- Compass: Limited visibility makes navigation even tougher, so pack a compass when navigating storms.
- Weather radio: How can you know where a storm is going? Using a weather radio provides the most accurate and timely information. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) runs these stations 24 hours a day with weather warnings from the National Weather Service.
- Thermos: Access to warm or hot water may be limited in a blizzard, so bring a thermos to control water temperature for as long as possible. Warm water steadies your internal body temperature during cold weather.
Surviving an Extreme Weather Event – Understanding the Weather
Surviving storms also involves understanding their severity and the damage they can cause. Then, you can decide the best way to proceed.
For example, consider hurricanes and the range of categories you might see. While no hurricane is safe, the wind speeds from Category 1 and Category 5 differ in their potency. A Category 1 hurricane ranges from 74 mph to 95 mph and causes minimal damage at landfall. Experts say Category 3 hurricanes cause extensive damage and range from 111 mph to 130 mph.
When a Category 1 or 2 hurricane arrives, you have a decent chance of survival if you’re inside a shelter. However, a Category 5 hurricane can destroy even sturdy buildings. These storms cause roof failures, wall collapses and weeks-long power outages.
Surviving an Extreme Weather Event – Navigating Thunderstorms
Hurricanes often produce thunderstorms, so use similar survival tactics when navigating these monstrous weather events. If a hurricane creates a tornado, your best survival strategy is to stay low or head underground due to flying debris.
Similar principles apply when there’s lightning, as crouching or lying low to the ground reduces your chances of a strike. Remain in a fetal position to protect your organs and stay away from electricity conductors like barbed wire fences.
Surviving an Extreme Weather Event – Surviving the Worst Weather Conditions
While you can forecast weather, it’s hard to accurately predict how severe it will be and how fast it moves. You could find yourself stuck in the woods during a thunderstorm or blizzard. Using your survival skills and preparing beforehand is crucial for survival.
