THUNDERSTORM RISK MANAGEMENT PLAN
Background
Thunderstorms can occur at any time of the year, but are most prevalent in Brisbane between
September and March. This coincides very closely with the swimming season. The principal risk for
swimmers and others attending activities at the pool is from lightning strikes, although large hail stones
and extreme wind gusts may also present significant safety hazards. Lightning injuries or fatalities are
most likely to occur to people who are:
 in or near water (the pool & showers);
 in open areas (pool grounds);
 in un-enclosed buildings (grandstand); and
 near buildings and vehicles rather than in them.
Whilst the Bureau of Meteorology is able to issue warnings about forecast thunderstorm activity, the
actual path and severity of storms can change very quickly. Consequently, direct observation of the
development and progress of a thunderstorm threatening the general pool area provides the most
reliable guide for determining the appropriate stage of the Thunderstorm Action Plan to implement.
Note that lightning strikes may occur in clear air, i.e. separated from visible thunderstorm clouds.
The rule of thumb is that every 3 seconds of delay between a flash to thunder, equates to a distance of 1
kilometre, so where 30 second flash-to-thunder time interval, the lightning activity is about 10 km away.
Thunderstorm Risk Management Policy
The Ithaca Creek Swimming Club has developed a Thunderstorm Action Plan to minimise the risk of
injury from thunderstorm activity to all persons within the swimming pool area. The Policy is designed to
provide clear and concise guidance to the Responsible Club Official to ensure that there is a consistent
approach to the implementation of the Plan.
The Responsible Club Official, with authority to implement the Policy, is either:

The Head Coach/Instructor (or designated alternative in the event of their absence) – at all Club
coaching and training sessions; or

The Club President/Chair (or designated alternative in the event of their absence) – at all Club
Nights and swimming carnivals
Cancellation of Club Night or other Carnival
A decision to cancel a Club Night or other swimming carnival will be made by the responsible Club
Official. Such a decision will not be made before the scheduled commencement time of the swimming
program. However, if the program has not commenced within half an hour of the scheduled time due to
thunderstorm activity it will be cancelled.
Similarly, if a Club Night program has commenced and is suspended due to thunderstorm activity and is
unable to resume within half an hour, the rest of the program will be cancelled.
Thunderstorm Action Management Plan
The designated Responsible Club Official will implement the following actions:
Stage 1: Awareness

Monitor weather forecasts, to be aware of possible thunderstorm activity on the day, including
updated internet storm warnings and radar images from the BOM website and app.

Undertake regular surveillance of skyline to observe for any approaching storm.
Stage 2: Alert

As soon as lightning is observed, alert all swimmers and other people in pool area to approaching
storm and to be prepared to follow directions quickly.

Initiate “flash to bang count”: i.e. the time in seconds between observed lightning flash and
associated thunder clap to determine the distance of the electrical activity from the pool area
(separation is approximately 1.5km for each 5 seconds).

Unplug electrical appliances – computer, EFTPOS machine.
Stage 3: Initial Evacuation

If “flash to bang count” is less than 30 seconds: evacuate all swimmers from pool and any other
people inside the toilet block.

Ask all people within the pool grounds to gather in the grandstand with their personal possessions
to await further instructions. Note: Club Officials working inside the canteen can remain, but
should not operate the landline telephone.

People who wish to leave the grandstand area should do so quickly on the first warning and are
advised to remain within a closed vehicle until the storm passes.

Continue to monitor progress and intensity of storm.

Do not allow people to re-enter the pool until at least 15 minutes after the last thunder has been
heard.
Stage 4: Full Evacuation

If “flash to bang count” is less than 15 seconds and the associated storm winds are becoming quite
strong: direct all people to the undercroft of the prep building.

Restrict movement of people from this area until intense wind phase has passed and “flash to bang
count” is more than 15 seconds.
Updated: October 2016