Inclement Weather & Monitoring

Inclement Weather & Monitoring

Inclement Weather Policy

Purpose:
To establish guidelines and procedures for how the Town of Wendell Parks & Recreation Department deals with inclement weather conditions in order to protect participants, spectators and staff for programs. The Parks & Recreation Department retains the right to reschedule or cancel activities due to severe and extreme weather conditions.

When weather conditions present a threat to the safety of participants, spectators, or staff, the Parks and Recreation Director or their designee has the authority to reschedule or cancel a Wendell Parks & Recreation activity, program, or event.

Severe Weather Warnings
Outdoor Wendell Parks & Recreation activities will be rescheduled or canceled when a severe weather warning is issued for the Town of Wendell by the National Weather Service. Participants, spectators and staff shall seek immediate shelter in the event of a severe weather warning.

Indoor Wendell Parks & Recreation Department activities may be conducted during a severe weather warning. The Parks and Recreation Director or their designee will evaluate the threat to make any decisions on rescheduling or canceling.

Severe Weather Watches
Wendell Parks & Recreation Department activities may be conducted as scheduled when severe weather watches are issued, or when rain is forecast for the Town of Wendell. However, if the weather is severe enough to warrant rescheduling or cancellation, a decision will be made by the Parks and Recreation Director or their designee prior to the start or during the activity.

Lightning
Wendell Parks and Recreation Department utilizes a weather monitoring system to monitor lightning and severe weather conditions for the Town’s outdoor recreation facilities. Any lightning strike within an 8-mile radius of the event will result in a horn being sounded from the system and the suspension of all activities. Activities can resume once the “all clear” horn is sounded.

Wendell Parks and Recreation uses the 30/30 Lightning Rule which is if thunder is heard within 30 seconds of a lightning strike all activities must then wait 30 minutes after the last lightning strike to resume.

Heat Index
Athletic programs will be rescheduled or canceled if the heat index is 105 or higher at the time of the game. With a heat index of 105, sunstroke, heat cramps or heat exhaustion are likely, and heat stroke is possible with prolonged exposure. The Parks and Recreation Director or their designee can delay the game until the heat index goes under 105, or may cancel and reschedule it for another day. The Parks and Recreation Director or their designee may also cancel the first game of the day and play the second game if the heat index looks to be below the 105. A decision will be made by 3:00 PM on the day of the game based on the predicted heat index at game time.

Winter Storms
If the National Weather Service issues a winter storm warning or watch for the Town of Wendell, or if snow, ice or sleet conditions will significantly limit participants, spectators and staffs ability to safely travel, the Parks and Recreation Director or their designee will postpone or cancel the activities.

Inclement Weather Hotline: CALL 365-GAME (4263)

Weather Stations & Monitoring

Wendell Parks & Recreation maintains two active weather monitoring stations at our facilities that keep an eye on local weather patterns and changing situations -- in an effort to best inform our staff when inclement weather is expected during or ahead of events and athletics.

One station is located at Wendell Park, above the concession stand, the other is located at Hollybrook Park, atop the bathroom building. These stations are controlled and overseen by Parks & Recreation staff regularly.

These stations have the ability to broadcast out via loudspeakers if inclement weather is approaching, or for other uses, such as missing children or important notices. The equipment can detect lightning nearby and can provide daily updates to staff about upcoming weather risks. They can also blast sirens during game delays or weather warnings.

Below is the current weather at Wendell Park: