In a wind storm in a bivy I just zip it all the way up and only leave a small crack and put in ear plugs. I never go without earplugs anymore.

Another thing to consider, particularly in the Rockies, is that the huge amount of beetle infested trees will result in LOTS of standing dead trees in the next few years. Most of those trees you see on the ground were blown down in a wind. The forest in this case presents more danger in a wind storm than protection. Last year I camped in a partially dead forest of small trees. There was no wind. I went around and pushed on all the trees and three fell over!

My most intereseting wind experience was while inside an earth bermed house between Laramie and Cheyenne Wyoming. We were sitting inside looking out the window and a 4x8 foot piece of plywood goes flying by at least five feet off the ground!

Do any of you live in tornado alley? It must be amazing.