{
  "id": "2024-08-31-kentucky-kroger-field-southern-miss-lightning-canceled",
  "slug": "kentucky-kroger-field-southern-miss-lightning-canceled-2024-08-31",
  "institution": {
    "name": "University of Kentucky",
    "shortName": "Kentucky",
    "state": "KY",
    "type": "public-r1",
    "alertSystemName": "UK Emergency Notification System",
    "enrollment": 32300
  },
  "incident": {
    "date": "2024-08-31",
    "type": "severe-storm",
    "cleryCategory": "advisory",
    "headline": "Lightning delays the football season opener, then ends the game in the third quarter",
    "headlinePublic": "Lightning delays the football season opener, then ends the game in the third quarter",
    "summary": "Kentucky's 2024 home opener against Southern Miss at [Kroger Field](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kroger_Field) in Lexington was first pushed to a 10:05 PM EDT kickoff after nearly two pre-game hours of lightning delays -- then was ended entirely mid-third-quarter when lightning returned. [A Sea of Blue reported](https://www.aseaofblue.com/2024/8/31/24233258/kentucky-vs-southern-miss-lightning-delay-postponed-canceled-college-football) that gates were opened early so ticket holders could shelter in the concourses during the pre-game lightning hold; Kentucky led 31-0 when the game was halted for good and declared a Kentucky victory.",
    "outcome": "Game officially ended in the third quarter with Kentucky leading 31-0; declared a Kentucky win. Original 7:45 PM EDT kickoff became 10:05 PM EDT.",
    "resolution": "confirmed-threat"
  },
  "alerts": [
    {
      "sequence": 1,
      "type": "initial",
      "timestamp": "2024-08-31T13:56:17-04:00",
      "channel": "twitter-x",
      "verbatimText": "We have detected lightning within eight miles of Kroger Field and recommend that tailgaters seek shelter",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
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      "characterCount": 104
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    {
      "sequence": 2,
      "type": "initial",
      "channel": "twitter-x",
      "verbatimText": "We have detected lightning within eight miles of Kroger Field and recommend that tailgaters seek shelter.",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://x.com/UKAthletics/status/1829980610330587213",
      "sourceDescription": "@UKAthletics on X (official, verbatim lightning)",
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      "timestamp": "2024-08-31T16:32:31-04:00"
    },
    {
      "sequence": 3,
      "type": "update",
      "channel": "twitter-x",
      "verbatimText": "",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": false,
      "sourceUrl": "https://x.com/UKAthletics/status/1829999313612636370",
      "sourceDescription": "@UKAthletics on X (official, verbatim cat walk)",
      "annotations": [],
      "timestamp": "2024-08-31T17:46:50-04:00"
    },
    {
      "sequence": 4,
      "type": "update",
      "channel": "twitter-x",
      "verbatimText": "We are still in a lightning delay, but we are going to open gates to Kroger Field to ticket holders for them to shelter on the concourse. \n\nThe seating bowl is not open due to the ongoing lightning delay. \n\nFans will still have to scan their tickets and go through security screening. Nobody allowed in the seating bowl area, they may remain on concourse.",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://x.com/UKAthletics/status/1830014560918528304",
      "sourceDescription": "@UKAthletics on X (official, verbatim shelter gates)",
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      "timestamp": "2024-08-31T18:47:26-04:00"
    },
    {
      "sequence": 5,
      "type": "update",
      "channel": "twitter-x",
      "verbatimText": "Gates will open at 7:05 p.m. ET. \n\nReminder, fans entering will need to stay on the concourse while we are still in a lightning delay.",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://x.com/UKAthletics/status/1830018728945467552",
      "sourceDescription": "@UKAthletics on X (official, verbatim gate time)",
      "annotations": [
        "Exact text from official X status 1830018728945467552"
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      "characterCount": 134,
      "timestamp": "2024-08-31T19:03:59-04:00"
    },
    {
      "sequence": 6,
      "type": "update",
      "channel": "twitter-x",
      "verbatimText": "",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": false,
      "sourceUrl": "https://x.com/UKFootball/status/1830019285374382350",
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      "annotations": [],
      "timestamp": "2024-08-31T19:06:12-04:00"
    },
    {
      "sequence": 7,
      "type": "update",
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      "verbatimText": "",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": false,
      "sourceUrl": "https://x.com/UKAthletics/status/1830022886582862237",
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      "annotations": [],
      "timestamp": "2024-08-31T19:20:30-04:00"
    },
    {
      "sequence": 8,
      "type": "update",
      "channel": "twitter-x",
      "verbatimText": "Because we remain in a weather delay ... for those ticket-holders who are not already sheltering on the Kroger Field Concourse, we encourage you to remain in your vehicles or indoors. \n\nWe will continue to provide updates.",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://x.com/UKAthletics/status/1830024658361729191",
      "sourceDescription": "@UKAthletics on X (official, verbatim vehicles)",
      "annotations": [
        "Exact text from official X status 1830024658361729191"
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      "characterCount": 222,
      "timestamp": "2024-08-31T19:27:33-04:00"
    },
    {
      "sequence": 9,
      "type": "update",
      "channel": "twitter-x",
      "verbatimText": "",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": false,
      "sourceUrl": "https://x.com/UKAthletics/status/1830029882061176931",
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      "annotations": [],
      "timestamp": "2024-08-31T19:48:18-04:00"
    },
    {
      "sequence": 10,
      "type": "update",
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      "isVerbatimConfirmed": false,
      "sourceUrl": "https://x.com/UKAthletics/status/1830032507292828028",
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      "annotations": [],
      "timestamp": "2024-08-31T19:58:44-04:00"
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  ],
  "context": "Lexington, Kentucky, sits in a region prone to late-summer thunderstorm activity, and the 2024 season opener at [Kroger Field](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kroger_Field) became one of the most storm-disrupted games in Kentucky football recent history. Lightning moved in before the scheduled 7:45 PM EDT kickoff, prompting UK to open [Kroger Field](https://www.aseaofblue.com/2024/8/31/24233258/kentucky-vs-southern-miss-lightning-delay-postponed-canceled-college-football) gates early for ticket holders to shelter in the concourses while the seating bowl remained sealed. The Cat Walk fan event was also moved inside. After nearly two and a half hours of pre-game delay, the game finally kicked off at [10:05 PM EDT per Yahoo Sports' recap](https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/uk-football-season-opener-versus-233257962.html). Kentucky played efficiently, building a 31-0 lead, but at approximately 9:56 remaining in the third quarter, lightning returned within eight miles and officials called the game. Under NCAA rules, a game stopped after sufficient play can be declared final; the result stood as a 31-0 Kentucky win. [On3's pre-game reports](https://www.on3.com/teams/kentucky-wildcats/news/start-time-postponed-for-kentucky-vs-southern-miss-due-to-lightning-delay/) tracked the delay in real time as the Wildcats' season-opening night stretched into the early hours of September 1.",
  "keyFindings": [
    "Stadium gates were opened early before kickoff specifically to allow ticket holders to shelter in the concourses while the seating bowl remained closed -- an unusual fan safety protocol",
    "Pre-game lightning delay lasted nearly 2.5 hours, pushing the 7:45 PM EDT kickoff to 10:05 PM EDT",
    "Lightning returned in the third quarter and forced the game's cancellation with 9:56 remaining and Kentucky leading 31-0",
    "Kentucky's Cat Walk fan event was also moved indoors due to the lightning threat before the game began"
  ],
  "sources": [
    {
      "title": "Lightning ends Kentucky vs. Southern Miss after multiple delays - A Sea of Blue",
      "url": "https://www.aseaofblue.com/2024/8/31/24233258/kentucky-vs-southern-miss-lightning-delay-postponed-canceled-college-football",
      "type": "local-media"
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    {
      "title": "Start Time Postponed for Kentucky vs. Southern Miss due to Lightning Delay - On3",
      "url": "https://www.on3.com/teams/kentucky-wildcats/news/start-time-postponed-for-kentucky-vs-southern-miss-due-to-lightning-delay/",
      "type": "local-media"
    },
    {
      "title": "UK football season opener called in third quarter after multiple weather delays - Yahoo Sports",
      "url": "https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/uk-football-season-opener-versus-233257962.html",
      "type": "local-media"
    },
    {
      "title": "Football Game at Kentucky Terminated in Third Quarter Due to Weather - Southern Miss Athletics",
      "url": "https://southernmiss.com/news/2024/8/31/football-game-at-kentucky-terminated-in-third-quarter-due-to-weather",
      "type": "official-social"
    },
    {
      "title": "Lightning ends game early as Kentucky beats Southern Miss 31-0 - On3",
      "url": "https://www.on3.com/teams/kentucky-wildcats/news/lightning-ends-game-early-kentucky-beats-southern-miss-31-0/",
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    },
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  "confidence": "high",
  "tags": [
    "severe-storm",
    "lightning",
    "weather-delay",
    "game-canceled",
    "stadium",
    "kentucky",
    "kroger-field",
    "game-day",
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