Camping in a Storm in Australia: Essential Safety Tips
If you are camping and are trapped in a thunderstorm, you must know what to do.
While it is quite improbable that you will be hit or someone close to you would be hit, it is better to know what to do and what not to do.
You should have checked the weather before leaving, but weather is unpredictable, and you may not have always had this knowledge before your trip.
Your best bet is to seek refuge in a well-established structure such as a house, hut, or other structure. However, when camping, that is not always simple to come by.
That is why you should read our storm camping guidelines.
Tips to Help Survive Camping in a Storm:
Plan Ahead
Plan ahead, so you can drive or walk to your camping spot and find a safe, secure place to park.
Interstate and intrastate roads and highways have low rainfall areas, which are usually on the leeward side of a range of hills.
Look for these areas to avoid risk and find a location suited to your camping trip requirements.
Avoid Trees and Bushes
If a storm approaches and there is little time to get to shelter, and you are camping in an area that is treed or bush covered, get away from trees and to an area that is bare and clear.
It’s better to be on open ground without large objects than beneath a tall tree or bush.
Wind in Your Camper Awning before Bad Weather Strikes
If camping with a camper that rolls out an awning, always ensure the awning is rolled up tight and secured before bad weather arrives.
The wind can really whip up in a storm, and if it breaches the awning and is allowed to flap around, it can whip up even more wind and become quite dangerous.
Park Your Vehicle on Lower Ground
If you park your vehicle on high ground, you may well regret it when the storm arrives.
Tents and vehicles frequently become victims of the storm, and generally, vehicles and tents get hit from above, not from below.
If you park your car or camper on high ground, it can easily get hit by large hail and other dangerous weather-related issues.
Prep Wet Weather Camping Gear
While camping in a storm, you should always have some sort of tarp, sheet or blanket with you.
These can be utilised as a wind break or if something heavy like hail is coming down and you have to seek shelter in your vehicle.
It’s better to be prepared and know that you have a “just in case” item than to wish you had it and not have it, or not to have an adequate amount of protection.
Staying in the Vehicle Is the Safest Option
If you are caught in the middle of a storm, and there is little time to get to a building or a good location to seek shelter in the open, stay in your vehicle.
It’s the safest option, besides staying inside a structure, of course.
Conclusion
Camping in a storm can be a lot of fun, and it can be a memorable experience.
It’s important to remember that bad weather can come your way, so the best way to be prepared is to plan ahead and know what to do if caught in the middle of a storm.
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