Lightning & Thunder /Severe Weather

• Seek shelter immediately - Leave the fields and stop practices

•  Wait 30 minutes after the last sound of thunder or the last lightning flash before giving the "all clear" signal and resuming normal activity.  If additional lightning slashes are seen or thunder is heard, the 30 minute waiting period restarts.  

• At the first sounds of thunder or the first sighting of lightning flash play shall be suspended; all coaches, players, referees and spectators are to withdraw from the field and seek proper shelter.

• • No place outside is safe near thunderstorms.  The best shelter is a large, fully enclosed, substantially constructed building.  A vehicle with a solid metal roof and metal sides is a reasonable second choice

  •  Lightning research has confirmed that consecutive lightning strikes can occur as much as six miles apart.  people often do not perceive lightning to be close it is two miles or more away, but the risk of the next strike being at your location may actually be very high.

  •  Many lightning casualties occur in the beginning as a thunderstorm approaches because people ignore these precursors.  When thunderstorms are in the area but not overhead, the lightning threat can exist even if it is sunny at your location.

  •  No Lightning/Thunder Safety Policy can give 100% Guaranteed Total Safety but these steps will help try to avoid casualties by taking evasive action.