Wichita State Athletics

SEVERE WEATHER POLICY

The following policies have been established in order to better prepare the Wichita State University Athletic Department staff, student-athletes, and spectators for safety procedures involved with severe weather and lightning. These policies have been established primarily to ensure safety to the participants and spectators. These policies were adapted from the National Lightning Safety Institute and NCAA Sports Medicine handbook.
 

Lightning Policies

When severe weather is forecasted for the Wichita area, the following website should be opened:weather.dtn.com. When there is lightning within a 10 mile range, using the website, all outdoor activity, including practice and athletic events, will be postponed and all student-athletes, staff and spectators shall seek appropriate shelter. Practice and athletic events shall resume when there is no lightning strike within 10 miles for 30 consecutive minutes. 

When website means are not available and there is lightning within a 20 miles range, using a "SkyScan" lightning detector, all outdoor activity, including practice and athletic events, will be postponed and all student-athletes, staff and spectators shall seek appropriate shelter. Practice and athletic events shall resume when there is no lightning strike with in 20 miles for 30 consecutive minutes.
 

Lightning Procedures

1. Coaches, and/or certified athletic trainers (practices), and game management staff (games) should obtain a weather report each day before a practice or event. Be aware of potential thunderstorms that may form during scheduled intercollegiate athletic events or practices. Coaches and athletic trainers on the site during practices should pay close attention to signs of developing thunderstorms in the area. Be aware of thunderstorm "watches" and "warnings" which may have been issued by the National Weather Service.

2. The website will be turned on when severe weather and lightning is possible. During practice the certified athletic trainer will be responsible for monitoring the website. During games it is the responsibility of the WSU-ICAA administrator overseeing the event to monitor the website. The "Sky Scan" lighting detector may be used by either party when the website is not available.

3. If there is a lightning strike within the 10 mile range or closer when using the website or 8-20 miles or closer when using the "Sky Scan" lightning detector, then the playing field is to be cleared immediately.

4. During an event, a public address announcement will be made to inform the student-athletes, staff and spectators that lightning is in the area and they need to seek a safe shelter. Evacuate to an indoor facility or vehicle. Avoid going underneath or near trees, metal fences, gates, and tall light/power poles. Avoid water, high ground or open spaces.

5. During practice, the certified athletic trainer will inform the athletic director and the coaches that there is lightning in the area. The student-athletes and staff will evacuate the field and seek appropriate coverage.

6. Return to practice or athletic event will occur after 30 consecutive minutes from the last lightning strike in the 8-20 mile range or closer when using "sky scan" or 10 miles or closer when using the website. Student-athletes, staff and spectators will remain in an appropriate shelter until the "all-clear" announcement is given.
 

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Tornado Policy

When there is a possibility of tornado activity and radar shows that a severe thunderstorm is in the Wichita State University area, practice and athletic events will be postponed and all student-athletes, staff and spectators will immediately seek a proper tornado shelter. Practice and athletic events shall resume when radar shows that there is no longer any tornado activity or severe thunderstorm in the area.
 

Tornado Procedure

1. Coaches, and/or certified athletic trainers (practices), and game management staff (games) should obtain a weather report each day before a practice or event. Be aware of potential thunderstorms that may form during scheduled intercollegiate athletic events or practices. The certified athletic trainers and coaches on the site during practices should pay close attention to signs of developing thunderstorms in the area by using the website (weather.dtn.com). Be aware of thunderstorm and Tornado "watches" and "warnings" which may have been issued by the National Weather Service.

2. Coaches and/or certified athletic trainers and game management staff should identify the closest tornado shelter to the field or playing area and know how long it takes to get to the safe structure or location. See below for specific locations for each facility.

3. During practice, the certified athletic trainer will inform the coaching staff that a tornado "warning or watch" is in effect and that appropriate action is needed.

4. During an event and in the event that "Tornado Warning" has been issued for the Wichita and Sedgwick County area, a public address announcement will be made stating that the Wichita and Sedgwick County area is in a Tornado "warning". Please be advised to take shelter in the event of a tornado.

5. During an event and in the event that a "Tornado Watch" has been issued for the Wichita State area and/or the tornado sirens are on, all participants and spectators are to seek a proper tornado shelter. A public address announcement will be made to direct participants and spectators to a tornado shelter. See below for proper tornado shelter for each facility.

6. Return to practice or athletic event will occur when the likelihood of further tornados are over, this is determined by the athletic director and event staff, after consulting with local weather personal.
 
Facility-specific severe weather policies can be found here.