Storms Provide Relief, Floods, and Learning Opportunities

With temperatures in the 60s, dewpoints near 60, and rain falling steadily from the sky, I slept like a baby last night.  I can't even remember the last time we had a long period of steady rain like this and it seems like a gift from heaven, although yesterday's stronger downpours unfortunately caused some flooding and debris-flow problems in wildfire-scared areas such as near Alpine.  Further, the delay of the Texas–BYU football game is a prime example of why major stadiums need to prepare and have a plan for participant and spectator safety during severe weather (as does the Broncos–Ravens game on Thursday night).  Even if the U is prepared, the BYU experience provides a learning opportunity to see what worked effectively and what didn't.  U officials should also have a look at Gratz and Noble (2006), who provide a summary of lightning safety guidelines for large groups.  It's not a matter of if but when there is a thunderstorm, possibly severe, that impacts a U football game.