What to do if you're caught in the wilderness during a storm

A home along Nokay Lake Rd.
A home in northern Minnesota lost dozens of mature white pines during a storm Sunday.
Vickie Kettlewell for MPR News

More strong storms are expected across much of Minnesota this weekend. That's after straight-line winds and tornadoes ripped through the northern part of the state on Sunday.

The storm left one camper dead and others injured in the Boundary Waters. Craig Walz, the brother of Minnesota U.S. Rep. Tim Walz, was killed while camping near Duncan Lake when winds downed a tree on his camp site.

Even those with years of experience say it's not always clear what to do when severe weather strikes in the wilderness, especially at night.

MPR's Cathy Wurzer spoke with Steve Piragis, who has long advised campers as owner of Piragis Northwoods Co., an outfitter in Ely, Minn.

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