LIGHTNING ALERT

LIGHTNING PROTOCOL

Space Coast United lightning cancellation policy:

Once our lightning system detects lightning at the original start time + 15 minutes (4:45pm, 6:15 pm, 7:45 pm), fifty percent of the planned practice time cannot be achieved and we will cancel that practice. However, SCU will remain in a lightning delay in effort to wait for the all clear as long as 50% (45 minutes) of the practice time can be achieved.

Ex:

If practice is at 6pm ,and at 6:14PM the lightning detector started winding down so we were in a delay. At 6:17 pm the lightning detector reset, pushing us back to a 6:47 pm all clear (at the earliest). At this point, we could no longer train for half of the planned practice time. Subsequently, at 6:17 pm, all 6:00 pm practices were canceled.

Communication via playmetrics:

In the event of a cancellation, the scheduling team will close all affected fields for the remainder of that planned practice time and send an alert to each team scheduled to practice for that time, informing them of the cancellation. Field closures are a function of the SCU scheduling team only. Coaches, TM's, and directors do not have the ability to close fields in playmetrics. Unless the club scheduling team closes the fields, or says otherwise, practices are still on as scheduled.

Exception to the lightning policy:

Practice may be cancelled prior to 15 minutes after the planned start time IF its been determined there is a strong probability that lightning will be within 10 miles for the remainder of the evening or driving conditions become unsafe. In which case, we will cancel in advance to prevent families from unnecessary travel.

Please understand that we are acting in the best interest of your safety, time, and opportunity to practice. However, the weather in Florida is unpredictable and we may not always get it right. I hope this email will help to clear up any uncertainly or miscommunication in the future!