Brave the Elements
Hypothermia is the number one killer of outdoor recreationists. It occurs when the body temperature is lowered and unable to produce heat. Most everyone has experienced mild hypothermia, however, if the process is not stopped, death can occur. However there are many considerations when it comes to weather to make sure you are prepared for before visiting.
Hypothermia
Hypothermia can develop in temperatures as high as the 60's or 70's. It is caused by cool to cold temperatures, wind, lack of sunshine, and most importantly, wet or damp clothing.
Signs include shivering, slow or slurred speech, fumbling or immobile fingers, stumbling, sleepiness and exhaustion.
- Check weather reports before visiting the forest.
- Utilize layering techniques to wick away moisture while retaining body warmth. Always bring rain gear. Carry a spare set of dry clothing.
- Drink water and nibble on snacks frequently.
- Should you or your partner begin to develop hypothermia, replace all wet clothing with dry.
- Put on a hat and a warm coat.
- Wrap up in a blanket or sleeping bag.
- Get into a warm, dry environment.
- Do not sleep until all signs of hypothermia are gone.
- Do not give anything containing caffeine or alcohol.
To avoid hypothermia, be aware and take the necessary precautions. If there are early signs of hypothermia, take steps immediately to rest and get warm.
Earthquakes
Missouri can experience earthquakes. Most of Missouri's earthquake activity has been concentrated in the southeast corner of the State, which lies within the New Madrid seismic zone. The most severe of these were in 1811-1812. Numerous small earthquakes have occurred in this area in the past 50 years, and it is likely that more earthquakes will occur. Should you be hiking or camping in the forest, here's some tips to remember.
For more information on earthquakes in the area, see Missouri Earthquake Information Earthquake Hazard in the New Madrid Seismic Zone remains a concern for flooding .
- find a clear spot away from buildings, trees, streetlights, and power lines.
- Drop to the ground and stay there until the shaking stops.
- Injuries can occur from falling trees, street-lights and power lines, or building debris.
- pull over to a clear location, stop and stay there with your seatbelt fastened until the shaking has stopped.
- Trees, power lines, poles, street signs, and other overhead items may fall during earthquakes.
- Stopping will help reduce your risk, and a hard-topped vehicle will help protect you from flying or falling objects.
- Once the shaking has stopped, proceed with caution.
- Avoid bridges or ramps that might have been damaged by the quake.
- move away from cliff's edge and
- be alert for falling rocks and other debris that could be loosened by the earthquake.
- Landslides commonly happen after earthquakes.
move to higher ground. Earthquakes can compromise the integrity of a dam.
Flooding
The streams and rivers of Missouri are prone to flooding, especially after short periods of intense rainfall. Streams that you could easily cross in the morning can swell to the point of being impassable by noon. A peaceful riverside campsite can become dangerous overnight.
Flash floods/floods are the #1 cause of deaths associated with thunderstorms…an average of 107 fatalities occur nationwide each year.
- Most fatalities occur at night.
- Nearly half of fatalities are vehicle related.
- Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles, including sport utility vehicles and pickups.
- Six inches of fast moving water can knock you off your feet.
- Unusually hard rain over several hours
- Steady substantial rain over several days
- A weather report
- Water rising rapidly in streams and rivers
General
- Don't drive through a flooded area. The depth of water is not always obvious.
- If you come upon a flooded road, turn around and go another way, or simply wait it out on higher ground. More people drown in their cars than anywhere else.
- If your car stalls, abandon it immediately and climb to higher ground. Many deaths have resulted from attempts to move stalled vehicles.
- Never let children play near creeks or storm drains when the water is rising or high. Swimming skills have nothing to do with surviving a flooded creek or stream.
- Stay away from downed power lines and electrical wires. Electrocution is another major source of deaths in floods. Electric current passes easily through water.
- Look out for animals - especially snakes. Animals lose their homes in floods, too.
- Don't try to swim to safety; wait for rescuers to come to you.
- If outdoors, climb to high ground and stay there.
- Never go in a wet cave if heavy rainfall is anticipated. Water percolates very quickly through limestone. Heavy rainfall upstream can cause water in the cave to rise quickly, even if it is not raining near you.
- Avoid areas subject to sudden flooding.
- Never set up a tent or camper on a gravel bar or the bank of a river or stream - a flash flood can catch you while you're asleep.
- It is best to allow some distance between the campsite and water so if a flash flood does occur, you will have more time to move to higher ground.
- Flash floods can strike with little or no advance warning.
- Distant rain may be channeled into gullies and ravines, turning a quiet stream into a rampaging torrent in minutes.
- Don't walk through flooded areas. As little as six inches of moving water can knock you off your feet.
- Do not attempt to cross a flowing stream where water is above your ankles. Flooded creeks and streams are unpredictable. Even though the surface water may be smooth the water is moving very fast.
- Wait for everyone in the crew to arrive at stream, and make a determination to cross.
- Do not walk through a flowing stream on foot where water is above your ankles.
- When walking through or on rocks or logs over a stream, loosen pack buckles so if you fall you can easily get away from your pack and it will not drag you under.
- Wait for everyone to cross before continuing (in case the last person needs assistance).
Flooded streams and rivers are not safe for recreational boating. Many canoeists and kayakers have been rescued from dangerous rapids in flood-swollen streams and rivers.
Forest Fires
We want our visitors to be aware and be prepared. Most important is following the direction of any official in case of a fire. However, the following tips may help you in the backcountry.
- Remember that wildfires may occur any time of year in southern Missouri, but they are most common in spring and fall.
- When planning a hike or ride, check on the weather, fire conditions of the area, and ask about any special restrictions that may affect your trip. Notices may also be posted on bulletin boards at trailheads and recreation areas.
- Keep an eye on all horizons during the day. Should you see smoke, watch to see if it is getting bigger. If so, retreat or otherwise turn away from the direction the fire appears to be traveling.
- Note the direction of the wind and watch for blowing embers.
- Look for escape routes like dirt roads, trails, gravel areas, large rock outcroppings, asphalt, etc. Head for one of these areas.
- Avoid going uphill from a fire. Remember, heat rises rapidly and the fire will outrun you to the top of a hill.
- If the fire is gaining on you, look for places with the least amount of burnable fuels. Leaf litter is the primary carrier of fire, so stomp and scrape to clear an area with your feet if necessary. The larger area you create that is free from any type of burnable fuel will give you that much more protection.
- Stay away from trees, thickets and brushy areas. Avoid the top end of any drainage. These areas act like chimneys that propel fire and heat rapidly.
- Use a jacket, backpack, hat or other items to shield yourself from the heat as you travel.
- If necessary, lie down on a dirt surface, feet pointing toward the approaching flames. Even loose dirt may give you some protection if scooped over your feet or legs.
- If you are in a car and a fire overtakes you, STAY IN YOUR VEHICLE! It is safer than being on foot and will give you some protection from the heat.
- If you must stop, park in the safest place possible, with the least amount of burnable fuel present. Tires may deflate but gas tanks don’t explode easily.
- Lie on the floor and cover your head and face. Breathe shallow breaths through your nose.
- As soon as the fire has passed, plan your escape from the area.
Hazard Trees
Beware of Hazardous Trees Due To Ice Storm, Wind, Disease or Insect Damage
Falling trees are always a hazard when traveling through the forest. Here are some guidelines for visitors:
- Be aware of your surroundings and avoid dense patches of dead trees. Limbs and damaged trees may fall at any time.
- Stay out of the forest when there are strong winds that could blow down trees. If you are already in the forest when winds kick up, head to a clearing out of reach of any potential falling trees.
- Place tents and park vehicles in areas where they will not be hit if a tree falls.
- When driving in remote areas of the forest, park close to a main road rather than on a spur or one-way section to avoid being trapped if a tree falls across the road.
- Do not rely on cell phones for safety, as there is no coverage in many areas of the national forest.
- Look up while on trails, especially when it’s windy.
- Obey any closure signs.
Ice storms can inflict serious damage to trees, uprooting or breaking off large limbs. Cracks can develop in large branches which, although they are damaged, do not fall from the tree. Such branches can present a hazard to people or property long after the ice has melted.
Hazard Tree Indicators
A "Hazard Tree" is a tree that has a structural defect that is likely to fail in whole or in part. Here's what to look for:
- Numerous down trees.
- Leaning trees.
- Dead or broken tops and / or limbs hanging in the trees.
- Absence of needles, bark, or limbs.
- Possibility of rot indicated by conks, broken tops, basal scars, cat faces, numerous down limbs, ants, abundance of woodpecker holes.
Lightning
Outdoors is the most dangerous place to be during a lightning storm. When lightning is seen or thunder is heard, or when dark clouds are observed, quickly move indoors or into a hard-topped vehicle and remain there until well after the lightning storm ends.
- Don't be the second tallest object during a lightning storm! Crouch down if you are in an exposed area.
- If no enclosed building is convenient, get inside a hard-topped all-metal vehicle. A cave is a good option outside but move as far as possible from the cave entrance.
- Drop metal objects like metal hiking poles, canteens, fishing poles, umbrellas, and packs with internal or external metal frames.
- Don't sit or lie down, because these positions provide much more contact with the ground, providing a wider path for lightning to follow.
- If you are with a group and the threat of lightning is high, spread out at least 15 feet apart to minimize the chance of everybody getting hit.
- Don't return to an open area too soon. People have been struck by lightning near the end of a storm, which is still a dangerous time.
- If you are caught above the tree line when a storm approaches, descend quickly. Avoid isolated trees. It is better to run into a forest. Be the lowest point. Lightning hits the tallest object. In the mountains if you are above treeline, you ARE the highest object around. Quickly get below treeline and get into a grove of small trees.
- Hikers and others should run into a forest if a shelter or car is not nearby.
- Get off bicycles, motorcycles, horses, and ATVs.
- If you are caught in an open field, seek a low spot. Crouch with your feet together and head low.
Electric storms can also develop in the middle of the night. To lower your odds, don't pitch your tent near the tallest trees in the vicinity.
Before going boating, fishing, diving or enjoying other water sports, check the forecast. If severe weather is predicted, stay home. If you must go out, take a radio and monitor forecasts. Return to shore as soon as possible if a storm is predicted. If you caught out in a storm, here's what do to:
- Get off the water!
- Keep arms and legs in the boat. Do not dangle them in the water.
- Stop fishing, water skiing, swimming or other water activities when there is lightning or even when weather conditions look threatening. The first lightning strike can be a mile or more in front of an approaching thunderstorm cloud.
- Disconnect and do not use or touch the major electronic equipment, including the radio, throughout the duration of the storm.
- Swimmers, anglers, and boaters should get off lakes or rivers and seek shelter when storms approach.
- Drop any fishing rods.
- Boaters who cannot get off the water before the storm hits should crouch low.
- Once on land, get at least 100 yards away from shore.
- Call for help. Call 9-1-1 or your local ambulance service. Get medical attention as quickly as possible.
- Give first aid. If the victim has stopped breathing, begin rescue breathing. If the heart has stopped beating, a trained person should give CPR. If the person has a pulse and is breathing, address any other injuries. Stay with the victim until help arrives.
- People who have been hit by lightning carry no electric charge and can be safely tended to. Also, victims who appear dead can often be revived.
- Check for burns in two places. The injured person has received an electric shock and may be burned. Being struck by lightning can also cause nervous system damage, broken bones, and loss of hearing or eyesight.
Rockslides
Rock falls and mudslides can be triggered by freezing temperatures followed by rainy thaws, according to the National Weather Service. Rain gets down into the cracks and freezes, then it expands and loosens the rocks.
Always check Current Conditions to find out if there are any road or trail closures where you plan to visit.
When a forest service road experiences a rock slide, the road is closed until it's safe for travel. If you see fallen rocks or a rock slide that looks dangerous, contact the nearest district office.
During rainy and freezing conditions, use extra caution and go slow on forest roads so you have time to react.
Tornados
Know the signs of a tornado: Weather forecasting science is not perfect and some tornadoes do occur without a tornado warning. There is no substitute for staying alert to the sky. Besides an obviously visible tornado, here are some things to look and listen for:
- Strong, persistent rotation in the cloud base.
- Whirling dust or debris on the ground under a cloud base -- tornadoes sometimes have no funnel!
- Hail or heavy rain followed by either dead calm or a fast, intense wind shift. Many tornadoes are wrapped in heavy precipitation and can't be seen.
- Day or night - Loud, continuous roar or rumble, which doesn't fade in a few seconds like thunder.
- Night - Small, bright, blue-green to white flashes at ground level near a thunderstorm (as opposed to silvery lightning up in the clouds). These mean power lines are being snapped by very strong wind, maybe a tornado.
- Night - Persistent lowering from the cloud base, illuminated or silhouetted by lightning -- especially if it is on the ground or there is a blue-green-white power flash underneath.
The biggest danger you'll face if a tornado strikes while you're in the forest is falling trees and tree limbs.
- If possible, get inside a building. If you're at a developed campground, the restroom may be the closest option.
- Rockshelters (areas under the cliffline) may offer partial protection from falling tree limbs.
- If shelter is not available or there is no time to get indoors, lie in a ditch or low-lying area or crouch near a strong building. Be aware of the potential for flooding.
- Use arms and clothing or gear to protect head and neck.
- Never try to outdrive a tornado in a car or truck. Tornadoes can change direction quickly and can lift up a car or truck and toss it through the air.
- Get out of the car immediately and take shelter in a nearby building.
- If there is no time to get indoors, get out of the car and lie in a ditch or low-lying area away from the vehicle. Be aware of the potential for flooding.