8420.01 - LIGHTNING SAFETY AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
All teachers, coaches, and administrators responsible for District-sponsored or otherwise authorized outdoor activities, including, but not limited to, recess, classes, field trips, marching band and athletic practices, and contests shall comply with the following procedures in planning for and responding to the threat of lightning:
An alternate, safe location for sheltering participants shall be identified prior to scheduling any outdoor activities so that it can be provided for participants in the event of severe weather. Prior to the beginning of each school year, shelter locations shall be established for all reoccurring outdoor activities.
The best shelter commonly available against lightning is a fully enclosed building with plumbing and wiring. When sheltering in buildings, move to central areas away from windows, if possible. Stay away from plumbing fixtures, electrical wiring and appliances, and corded telephones. If a fully enclosed building is not available, a vehicle with a solid metal roof and metal sides (e.g., school bus, van, car), with the windows rolled up is the next best option.
To avoid the potential threat of lightning, weather forecasts and knowledge of local weather patterns should be considered before scheduling outdoor activities.
Each morning prior to the commencement of outdoor activities and periodically thereafter, if appropriate, available resources such as local and national weather sources shall be used to determine if severe weather is forecast for the area.
If severe weather is forecast, approaching or present, the following codes will apply:
Weather Code 1 - Severe weather is forecast. Issue alert notice.
- Weather Code 2- Severe weather is approaching. Notify staff, students, and visitors. Move students to safe shelter.
- Weather Code 3 - Severe weather is fast approaching, possibly a tornado. Notify staff, students, and visitors. Move students away from windows.
- Weather Code 4 - Severe weather is rapidly approaching or present. Tornados have been sighted in the area. Direct students and staff to get into the "tornado position" immediately.
Conservative decisions will be made whenever severe weather is forecast or observed, with highest priority given to the safety of students, staff and other campus/site occupants. If there is any question concerning the safe conduct of an outdoor activity, it shall be delayed, suspended, or postponed.
If severe weather is forecast or observed, a Lightning Monitor must be designated and shall use the "30-30 Rule", other available resources and observations in order to provide prompt notification to persons outdoors should sheltering be appropriate.
Use of the "30-30 Rule" is mandatory when local weather information is not readily available (i.e., local media outlets, National Weather Center, internet weather service applications/apps.)
If the time between seeing lightning and hearing thunder is thirty (30) seconds or less, the outdoor activity shall not begin or if it is already in progress, the activity shall be suspended immediately. Persons outdoors shall be notified to seek proper shelter and students and staff shall move there immediately. If the lightning can't be seen, just hearing thunder means the thunderstorm is close.
The person(s) responsible for the outdoor activity shall wait thirty (30) minutes or more after thunder is last heard before allowing students and staff to leave proper shelter.
The use of mobile device weather applications is permitted to be used to support the 30/30 Rule. The applications are available to the public for the purpose of lightning strike monitoring for outdoor activity safety. Graphical data shows the distance of lightning away from the school may be used to assist in early identification of possible inbound weather and associated lightning strike frequency and location.
Information from hand-held lightning detectors shall not be substituted for use of the "30-30 Rule" or a lightning prediction and warning system in making a decision to begin or suspend an outdoor activity. Because the performance of some commercially-available detectors may not be designed, manufactured, tested, maintained or used properly, they may only be used as an adjunct to, not a replacement for, compliance with the "30-30 Rule". While hand-held lightning detectors are not being recommended, use of both the "30-30 Rule" and a hand-held detector may provide added assurance that a correct decision is being made.
If a thunderstorm or electrical storm occurs in the area prior to the start of or during any outdoor athletic contest, the principal or his/her designee of the school involved in the contest shall request that the official interrupt or postpone the contest if the "30-30 Rule" or other information (i.e., streaming online weather data) suggests that a lightning hazard exists. It is the responsibility of the host school principal or his/her designee to notify persons outdoors to seek proper shelter. Sufficient time must be afforded for the evacuation, which will depend on the location of the event, the number of persons involved, the distance to suitable shelter, the behavior of the storm, etc.
Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Handbook Policy 32 is incorporated by reference as applicable to athletic events under FHSAA governance. (2024-2025): (32.1 Storms. If a thunderstorm or electrical storm occurs in the area prior to the start of or during any outdoor contest, the officials must immediately contact the principal or his/her designee of each school involved in the contest to determine if the contest should be played as scheduled, delayed, suspended, or postponed. If the principal or his/her designee of either of the schools involved requests that the contest be interrupted or postponed, with the exception of FHSAA State Championship Series events, the officials must immediately honor such request. If the principal or his/her designee of only one of the competing schools is available, with the exception of FHSAA State Championship Series events, his/her request must be honored. The FHSAA administrative staff, State Finals host and officials shall manage any inclement weather situations at FHSAA State Finals events.
32.1.1 For the benefit of member schools, the NFHS offers a Lightning Guideline to assist in inclement weather situations.
32.2 Safety is Paramount. The safety and welfare of all concerned is of paramount importance. In no case may an official deny a request by a principal or his/her designee to delay, suspend or postpone an outdoor contest due to inclement weather or imply that the contest will be forfeited as a result of such a request.
32.2 Suspended Contests. A suspended contest shall be resumed from the point of interruption, unless National Federation Rules, FHSAA Bylaws and/or Policies determine that the contest is a completed contest based on where the contest is at the point of interruption.If outdoors, thunderstorms are in the area, and appropriate shelter is not available, avoid dangerous locations/activities (e.g., elevated places, open areas, tall isolated objects, water activities). Do NOT permit students to go under trees or stadium seating structures to stay dry in thunderstorms.
If outdoors, the threat of lightning is imminent, and appropriate shelter is not available, use the "lightning crouch" as a last resort.
If in a group, individuals should spread out, with several body lengths between each person. If one (1) person is struck, others may not be hurt and can give first aid.
Each person should put their feet together, squat down, tuck their head, and cover their ears.
If a person is struck by lightning, provide first aid. Start CPR or rescue breathing, as appropriate. Have someone call 9-1-1. Use an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) if available and appropriate. (Use of an AED is governed by Policy 8452 and AP 8452.)
Schools shall educate students and staff on lightning safety and can facilitate public lightning safety education by sponsoring outreach events in conjunction with local authorities.
Revised 2/13/25
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