At the start of this week, storm Chandra swept across the UK, creating heavy rain and turbulent winds that caused chaos.
The storm has created 74 flood warnings across the South of England, including Dorset, Hampshire, and the Isle of Wight.
Chandra has shut down roads and cut rail links, as snowfall, rain, and strong winds continue to rage across the country.
It hasn’t finished yet. The Met Office has predicted further heavy rainfall for much of today and the rest of the weekend, with a yellow warning issued for Friday.
A yellow warning has been issued for people living in Somerset, Devon, and Cornwall, with 20-25mm of rain expected.
Forecasters predict it could be the worst rainfall in over a decade.
FA’s guidance on bad weather
With torrential weather expected at the weekend, the Football Association have released guidance procedure to protect grassroots players.
The purpose of the guide is to outline the steps to take during a thunderstorm.
This guide applies to all grassroots football, whether that’s training or matches.
A plan of action
Before the game or training takes place, it’s important for those responsible to check the weather well in advance.
A contingency plan is imperative. Can the event take place indoors rather than outdoors?
Is there shelter for players and spectators to stand under in the event of adverse weather?
Who is responsible?
The match official decides to postpone, cancel, or abandon a game due to bad weather.
Both teams should consult with the decision before kick-off.
In the case of training, the person leading the session or the adult in charge should decide whether to cancel.
When should you postpone?
A match official or person in charge should postpone a game/training if there is thunder/lightning, or extreme rain and wind.
If the activity has begun and the weather worsens, it should be postponed immediately, and participants should seek shelter.
Any postponements should prioritise participants and be done before the activity takes place.
If the game is cancelled
The consequences of a fixture cancellation should be dealt with in accordance with local competition rules.
In the event of a game resuming after an initial postponement, the match official is responsible for checking that the pitch is safe and free of debris.
Storm Chandra Emergency
If someone has been injured, call 999 to contact the Ambulance service.
In the meantime, if it is safe to do so, ensure the injured person is moved to a sheltered location.
The most important thing is to be safe, be sensible, and act in accordance with the guide to minimise risk and uncertainty.