STAFFORD COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, RECREATION
AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES
INCLEMENT WEATHER, THUNDER AND LIGHTNING GUIDELINES
When inclement weather is forecast all staff on duty at any park or county facility should be observant of weather conditions. When severe weather that includes thunder or lightning is expected these general guidelines will be followed. Safety of park patrons is paramount.
Pools
Upon hearing thunder or seeing lightning staff shall direct patrons at pools and swimming beaches to get out of the water and leave pool decks and open areas of the swimming beaches.
Patrons are to be instructed to go to their vehicles or some other enclosed substantial structure.
Patrons will not be permitted to reenter the facilities until 30 minutes after the last time thunder was heard or lightning was seen.
Sports Fields
Upon hearing thunder or seeing lightning the officials (umpires and referees) shall suspend the game and clear the field.
Officials shall direct participants and spectators to go to their vehicles or some other enclosed substantial structure. (Dugouts and picnic shelters are not suitable, safe structures during a lightning storm.)
Persons will not be permitted to reenter the facilities until 30 minutes after the last time thunder was heard or lightning was seen.
If staff is on site and inclement weather is likely, before games start staff shall confirm with the officials the department policy on thunder and lightning.
Upon observing thunder or lightning staff shall notify the officials and identify the direction it came from.
Staff shall give the officials the opportunity to suspend or terminate the game.
If the officials take no action in a reasonable amount of time (within minutes) and severe weather persists, staff shall blow one long, 2 second, blast on an air horn to notify all park patrons of the need to proceed to their vehicles or other enclosed substantial structure.
General Park Areas
If staff is on site and upon hearing thunder or seeing lightning, staff shall notify patrons that they need to proceed to their vehicles or other enclosed substantial structure. (Dugouts and picnic shelters are not suitable, safe structures during a lightning storm.)
