As severe weather season approaches, it is important to always have one eye in the sky.
If you and/or your child are outside, things can get a little tricker. That’s one reason recreational parks and sports complexes across the metro have specific plans for when severe weather strikes.
41 Action News spent the day at the Overland Park Soccer Complex. The complex has 12 open fields and hosts hundreds, sometimes thousands, of kids each day. Having a plan in place, especially when it comes to lightning and tornadoes, is crucial.
"When you have weather rolling in, it can happen pretty immediately. So we like to be pro-active, talk to the parties that are going to be out here at any particular time,” said Mike Laplante, the soccer complex manager.
Weather guidelines for the Overland Park Soccer Complex:
Rain storm:
- No lightning: Play may continue.
- Lightning: if lightening strikes within 12 miles of the field, a practice and/or game will be delayed at least 30 minutes. Announcements will be made over the PA system notifying everyone to immediately clear the fields and take shelter in their vehicles or one of the buildings.
Hail storm:
- Announcements will be made over the PA system notifying everyone to immediately clear the fields and take shelter in their vehicles or one of the buildings.
Tornado Watch:
- Announcements will be made over the PA system. Staff will instruct players and spectators of the warning.
- Warning will be repeated every 15 minutes.
Tornado Warning:
- If a shelter in place is needed, players and spectators will be directed to secure rooms inside the main building or into a secure room at one of the concession stands.
Overland Park has a text-alert system to notify parents, coaches and spectators of possible delays and/or cancelations. To sign up, visit Overland Park's website.
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Ariel Rothfield can be reached at Ariel.Rothfield@KSHB.com.
