I attempted to visit Indiana Dunes National Park earlier this week. We were watching the weather closely and saw a storm coming through. I’m not from the Midwest but…weather happens. No big deal.
We bought our pass and were prepared to ride out the rain in the gift shop before hiking. An employee announced that, due to an incoming storm, they were closing the gift shop and guests could wait in the theater room for the storm to pass. Cool. Not 2 minutes later a different employee came in and announced that a tornado had touched down nearby and it would be here in an hour. All guests had three minutes to leave because the visitor center was closing.
One woman asked what campers should do— not safe to ride it out in an rv with kids. “Find a fire station. They’ll take you in.”
We were stunned. Speechless. We walked by the theater room labeled “tornado shelter room” but couldn’t use it. They kicked out visitors, with children, during a tornado! We didn’t make it 10 minutes down the road before the sky turned black and we sheltered in a nearby business. Luckily, the workers welcomed us with open doors, despite not having power.
I’m not sure the point of my post, other than shock for not allowing guests to shelter during severe weather. Is this normal? Am I being unreasonable?
Edit: Wow- this post got traction! Thanks for the support.
To answer questions: the employee who made the closing announcement was in civilian clothes. The only person in “ranger” clothes was a young man working the info desk who gave us recommendations for a hike. He did mention, as we were purchasing the pass, that we should go after the incoming storm, which was our plan.
This was just a stop on our road trip to get the kids excited about seeing a National Park. Unfortunately, their view is a bit tainted now. They did, however, learn a great lesson in kindness from the amazing workers and truck drivers at the gas station where we ended up sheltering.