OSHKOSH, Wis. — The first day Randy Williams arrived at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh severe storms were in the forecast.

A tent camper, he came prepared.

What You Need To Know

  • Widespread severe weather is possible across Wisconsin Wednesday

  • Many campers at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh say they’ll ride the threat out

  • Organizers have plans in place to alert campers if necessary​

“Instead of using the standard rain fly that comes with the tent I used good heavy tarp for waterproofing,” the Wisconsin Rapids resident said.

He pointed to the bed of his truck, covered by a topper.

“My hard shelter is back here. I can crawl in the back of the truck if things get real bad,” he said with a laugh.

Severe weather is something officials at EAA AirVenture keep a close eye on, said spokesperson Dick Knapinski.

“We work directly with the National Weather Service and a lot of that is watching to see what might be forming and what might be dissipating and then reacting appropriately,” he said.

They’re able to alert campers around the grounds when nasty weather is approaching.

“We’ve got early warning systems via text, via speakers in the campground via alert systems that can tell the campers to shelter in place or look for something else,” Knapinski said.

With a forecast for rough weather Wednesday night, Paul Kelly of Buffalo, Minnesota, planed to leave after the evening airshow.

“It’s either breaking the tent down in the rain or breaking it down tomorrow when everything is soaked or doing it now when it’s dry,” he said.

Williams, who brought two weather radios, said he expected to get by.

“I grew up on the Missouri/Kansas border and lived in Oklahoma for a long time,” he said. “It doesn’t bother me.”