Thunder & Lightning Policy

(Effective 10/25/04)

(Revised October 20, 2008)

Applies to regular season through NYSPHSAA Finals:

1) Thunder and lightning necessitates that contests be suspended. The occurrence of thunder and/or lightning is not subject to interpretation or discussion ‐ thunder is thunder, lightning is lightning.

a) With your site administrator, set up a plan for shelter prior to the start of any contest.

2) When thunder is heard and/or when lightning is seen, the following procedures should be adhered to:

a) Suspend play and direct participants to go to shelter, a building normally occupied by the public or if a building is unavailable, participants should go inside a vehicle with a solid metal top (e.g. bus, van, car).

b) Do not permit people to stand under or near a tree; and have all stay away from poles, antennas, towers and underground watering systems.

c) After thunder and/or lightning have left the area, wait 30 minutes

after the last boom is heard or strike is seen before resuming play or competition.