PTFA Severe Weather Policy

Inclement Weather

When lightning is observed or thunder is heard, the outdoor event/practice/contest must be suspended.
The occurrence of lightning or thunder is not subject to interpretation or discussion — lightning is
lightning; thunder is thunder.

Severe weather in the form of rain or snow may make the field unplayable.
A. Contestants and support personnel shall be moved to appropriate indoor facilities.
B. When lightning is observed or thunder is heard and the contest is suspended, contestants shall not
return to the playing field until lightning has been absent from the local sky and thunder has not been
heard for 30 minutes.
C. Spectators shall be advised of the action being taken to seek shelter. (Some hosts may be able to offer
shelter to spectators but are not required to do so.)
D. If a structure is not readily available, participants and spectators will be advised to seek shelter in a
motor vehicle.

Tornado Policy
IF THERE IS A TORNADO WATCH OR WARNING AT THE SITE —
If a watch or warning is issued at prior to the event:
• For practices, a Member of the Board of Directors and or head coach of the team will decide to
cancel the event or not.
• For games, the assigned officials at the game location have final say on if the games will proceed
or not.
If a watch or warning first issued during contest/practice:
1. Suspend play.
2. Take necessary steps and precautions as directed by local policy.
3. Resume play at the point of suspension as soon as permitted. If not that day/night, then reschedule for
the next possible date.
If a structure is not readily available, participants and spectators will be advised to seek shelter in a motor
vehicle.

Additional Information
Our board of directors and coaches will make all reasonable efforts to give parents as much notice as
possible when it comes to weather cancellations. But please keep in mind that there are often situations
where weather changes with little or no notice. When there is a likelihood for severe weather in the area,
please try to have a plan in place to pick your child up earlier than the scheduled end time of the practice
in case an event must be canceled after it starts.