Bears-Ravens game in Chicago resumes after two-hour weather delay
CHICAGO — Severe weather forced a one-hour, 54-minute delay of Sunday's game between the Chicago Bears and Baltimore Ravens at Soldier Field.
Play was initially stopped and fans evacuated from the seating bowl with 4:51 remaining in the first quarter. The stoppage came at 1:31 p.m. ET. Five minutes later, referee Gene Steratore announced play would be "temporarily suspended" and both teams left the field.
At 2:25 p.m., the Bears announced the game would be delayed "approximately one more hour" because another storm was in the area.
Fans were allowed to return to their seats shortly after 3 p.m. and the game resumed at 3:25 p.m.
"Weather is unpredictable and there was a chance that the game could proceed without a delay," NFL spokesman Michael Signora told USA TODAY Sports by email. "When lightning dictated that a stoppage was necessary, the procedures for such an occurrence (below) were followed."
Those guidelines, per the NFL Game Operations Manual, are as follows:
— Suspension of Play: In the case of inclement weather, specifically lightning, the Referee will determine when it is appropriate to suspend play and clear the teams from the field. The NFL's Game Operations Command Center is in constant communication with the Referee, the Officiating Observer, and any other League representatives attending a game affected by inclement weather in order to communicate forecasts and severe weather warnings. These forecasts and warnings are issued by a third-party meteorological service specifically hired to monitor inclement weather that could affect an NFL game.
— Weather-Related Delay: Once the Referee has made the decision to suspend play due to inclement weather, the NFL's Game Operations Command Center speaks directly to a meteorologist who can provide an estimated duration of the delay based on weather patterns. This delay estimate is then communicated to the highest ranking League Official, Officiating Observer, and/or directly to the Referee. These League representatives are then responsible for updating both teams. Throughout the delay, the NFL's Game Operations Command Center is constantly relaying forecast updates and delay estimations to the on-site League representatives. When appropriate, the home club is responsible for implementing procedures to address the safety of fans and employees in the stadium.
— Resumption of Play: The Referee will determine when it is appropriate to resume play. In cases of lightning or other weather-related stoppages, the Referee is strongly encouraged, circumstances permitting, to consult with the highest ranking League Official in attendance, the NFL's Game Operations Command Center, and/or directly with a League-designated meteorologist before resuming play. Once the Referee has determined that play will resume, the teams will be given a 10 minute warm-up period.
— Authority of the Commissioner: Only the Commissioner (or his designee) has the authority to cancel, postpone, alter the normal timing of, or terminate games, including games affected by inclement weather.
Rain that had been trickling since shortly after kickoff began falling in sheets, driving fans who had initially remained in their seats toward the exits, though some remained stuck in the aisles of the upper deck more than 20 minutes after the evacuation.
MORE FROM USA TODAY: 'Dangerous' storms descend on Midwest
National Weather Service officials confirmed a tornado touched down near East Peoria in central Illinois and was moving northeast about 60 mph. No immediate injuries have been reported. Photos from the area showed devastating damage, however.
"This is a very dangerous situation," Russell Schneider, director of the National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center, told the Associated Press. "Approximately 53 million in 10 states are at significant risk for thunderstorms and tornadoes."
The Chicago area was under tornado and flash flood watches before the game. Official weather at game time was 67 degrees, wind gusts to 34 mph and showers and thunderstorms expected.
"Please clear the stadium seating area and relocate to the nearest covered concourse," a message on the stadium's video boards read. "Please remain calm and leave the seating area in an orderly fashion."
A tarp was on the field before the game but not during the delay, meaning the playing surface was exposed to the elements for nearly two hours.
The evacuation came moments after Justin Tucker's 52-yard field goal made it 10-0 Ravens.
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Bears-Ravens game in Chicago resumes after two-hour weather delay Updated at :
2:20 PM
Sunday, November 17, 2013
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