BAD WEATHER POLICY
Everyone out of the pool! That's the last thing you want to hear when you're taking a dip in the outdoor pool. Swimming is serious fun. So is safety. That’s why we want to remind you of our outdoor pool weather policies.
When inclement weather is imminent and pool is open, our staff monitors incoming threatening storms very closely. Evacuation of the pool complex is required when audible thunder or visible lightning is observed or when lightning gets to ten miles distant. The pool must remain closed for 30 minutes after the last observed thunder or lightning before resuming swimming pool activities.
Following national guidelines regarding lightning and pool safety, both outdoor and indoor pools must be cleared during a lightning and thunderstorms. That means all pools remain closed for 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder. The pool enclosure must be evacuated to wait out the storm, sheltered areas are not considered safe. The reason for the pool evacuations is because lightning is unpredictable and when it is in the area it can travel large distances to meet conductors such as large bodies of water like pools.
LIGHTNING FACTS · Lightning kills more people in the U.S. than hurricanes and tornados combined. · The average storm is 6 - 10 miles wide and moves at 25 MPH. · 13 percent of all lightning incidents involve swimming, boating, or fishing. · Thunder is usually heard up to 12 miles from a lightning strike. In other words, if you can hear thunder, you’re in danger of lightning. · Lightning strikes can reach up to 10 miles.
If a threat of lightning is observed during operating hours, causing unsafe weather conditions, the pool will be cleared and closed. Staff will remain at the pool and attempt to reopen the facility as soon as possible. If it is not feasible to open after ONE HOUR the pool will remain closed for the day.
If there is severe inclement weather at the time of our scheduled daily opening (10 AM), the pool will remain closed. If the severe weather has COMPLETELY CLEARED and no further severe weather forecasted by 2 PM, the pool will open at that time. If the pool closes any time after 6 PM, it will remain closed for the day.
There is another type of temporary pool closure tied to inclement weather which is when rain shower makes it impossible to clearly see the pool bottom. The pool deck will be closed and pool users may take shelter under cover and remain in the pool area. This kind of temporary closure comes and goes a lot quicker than thunder and lightning protocol because once the rain subsides and the pool bottom is visible the pool opens.
In some cases we may need to retreat the pool after excessive rainfall
As rain runoff collects on the pool deck, it can start to filter into the pool, carrying any outdoor contaminants along with it, the precisely calculated chemical concentrations of the pool can be thrown out of balance. Rainwater also affects the specific chemical gradients of the following: pH levels, alkaline levels, calcium hardness, and chlorine levels.
Even though such imbalances are nearly impossible to detect with the naked eye, they could result in unanticipated adverse health effects. Obviously, this is a complication that both swimmers and lifeguards wish to avoid, which is why the pool may need to shut down for a period after rain for treatment.
Please follow all Lifeguards instructions in the event of bad weather!!