One of the most challenging situations when camping is severe weather.  Planning ahead can help you avoid an inconvenient or even hazardous situation. 

Weather flags

Lilies will display flags to signal extreme weather.  These may be seen at the permanent shelter and the shower house.  The color code is as follows:

• Yellow:  A storm watch has been issued – conditions are favorable for a severe weather situation.
• Red with a Black Square:  A severe storm warning has been issued – severe weather has been sighted or otherwise confirmed.  This includes winds in excess of 58 mph, hail of 1” or more, or a tornado.
• Orange:  A heat warning has been issued.  The heat index is 100 F or higher.

Excessive Heat

During high heat events:

• Drink plenty of water.  Do not wait until you’re thirsty!
• Limit your activity.
• Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
• Avoid the sun and wear sunscreen
• Take a cool shower or enjoy a swim
• Do not hesitate to go into town for some air conditioning.
• Monitor yourself and your friends for signs of heat-related illness.

In the event of an excessive heat event, all martial activities will be cancelled or rescheduled.

Monitoring the weather

When weather approaches, monitor a weather service for local conditions.  Lilies is located in northwestern Clay County, Missouri.  The county to the west is Platte and the county to the north is Clinton.

If you plan to leave site due to weather, you should do so as soon as the watch is issued due to the distance to the nearest town.  Choosing to stay after a severe weather watch is called is very likely a choice to stay during the entire storm. This is because driving conditions can become very dangerous during severe weather.  

If you plan to stay during a storm, prepare your storm strategy ahead of time to minimize the hazard to yourself.

Storm safety

If you are outdoors during a severe storm,

• If lightning is occurring and a sturdy shelter is not available, get inside a hard top automobile and keep the windows up. Avoid touching any metal. (Note:  Do not move your vehicle into camp.  This will create an unsafe situation.)
• Find a low spot away from isolated trees, fences, poles, and metallic objects.  Make sure the place you pick is not subject to flooding.
• If you are in the woods, take shelter under the shorter trees.
• If you feel your skin tingle or your hair stand on end, squat low to the ground on the balls of your feet. Place your hands over your ears and your head between your knees. Make yourself the smallest target possible and minimize your contact with the ground. DO NOT lie down.
• If you are boating or swimming, get to land and find shelter immediately.

If a tornado nears, a vehicle is unsafe.  If no underground shelter or interior room in a sturdy building is available,

• Get out of automobiles.
• Do not try to outrun a tornado in your car; instead, leave it immediately for safe shelter.
• If caught outside or in a vehicle, lie flat in a nearby ditch or depression and cover your head with your hands.
• Be aware of flying debris. Flying debris from tornadoes causes most fatalities and injuries.