Campus Alert Archive
FSU

Lightning Advisory Packs Doak Campbell Concourses at FSU's 2022 Season Opener

FLsevere stormadvisorymedium confidence
Confirmed Threat

A pre-game lightning advisory at Doak S. Campbell Stadium pushed back Florida State's 2022 season opener against Duquesne by approximately 90 minutes, packing fans into the concourses and warning that play might be suspended. Fansided reported that a lightning advisory appeared on the stadium's big screen, prompting fans including players warming up on the field to take cover inside. FSU ultimately crushed Duquesne 47-7.

Alerts
2
Response
—
Killed
—
Injured
—
Institution
Florida State University
Public R1 · FL
~44,161 studentsFSU Alert
Confirmed Timeline

Alert Sequence

2 messages in sequence

Some alert texts below are approximate reconstructions from news coverage, not confirmed verbatim transcripts. Reconstructed texts are shown in italic with a dashed border. Verified verbatim texts have a solid border and are marked accordingly.

INITIAL ALERTSignage
Approximate reconstruction242 chars
LIGHTNING ADVISORY: Lightning has been detected in the Tallahassee area. The game may be suspended. Fans are asked to move inside to the stadium concourses and take cover. Players are being removed from the field. Do not remain in your seats.

This text has been reconstructed from news coverage and may not reflect the exact original wording.

The advisory appeared on Doak Campbell's large video board screens; it noted that the game 'may be suspended' -- consistent with a pre-emptive advisory before lightning came within the strict 8-mile hold threshold, giving fans advance warning to move indoors.
Players warming up on the field were also required to return inside, per ACC and NCAA lightning safety protocols.
ALL CLEARSignage
Approximate reconstruction163 chars
The lightning advisory has been lifted. Fans are welcome to return to their seats. Tonight's game will kick off at 6:30 p.m. Thank you for your patience. Go Noles!

This text has been reconstructed from news coverage and may not reflect the exact original wording.

The 247 Sports update noted 'Update (5:45 p.m.): FSU exits weather delay, kickoff at 6:30 p.m.' -- placing the all-clear at 5:45 PM EDT, approximately 90 minutes after the originally scheduled 5 PM EDT kickoff.
Wording reconstructed from news reports; isVerbatimConfirmed false.
Context

Background

Tallahassee, Florida, where Doak S. Campbell Stadium sits at the center of the Florida State campus, is one of the most lightning-prone college football markets in the United States. Florida leads the nation in lightning deaths annually, and late-summer afternoon thunderstorms are routine. On August 27, 2022, a lightning advisory on the stadium's video board interrupted pre-game warm-ups and pushed approximately 79,560 fans into the stadium concourses, including players who had been on the field. Fansided noted that fans packed inside the concourses to take cover and wait out the storm. The all-clear came at approximately 5:45 PM EDT -- per a 247 Sports update -- setting a new kickoff of 6:30 PM EDT. CBS Pittsburgh reported that once the game kicked off, FSU dominated immediately: the Seminoles scored touchdowns on their first three drives en route to a 47-7 victory.
Analysis

Key Findings

Tallahassee is among the highest lightning-risk markets for a Power Five college football venue; August home openers regularly face storm delays
The lightning advisory appeared on stadium video boards before the 5 PM EDT kickoff, clearing fans and players from the bowl and field
Delay lasted approximately 90 minutes; the 5:45 PM EDT all-clear enabled a 6:30 PM EDT kickoff
The advisory-versus-mandatory-evacuation distinction: pre-game management used a softer 'advisory' framing while still clearing players from the field and fans from their seats
Outcome
Lightning advisory lifted; kickoff moved from scheduled 5 PM EDT to approximately 6:30 PM EDT; FSU won 47-7.
Provenance

Sources

  1. News
    Florida State football delay: Why are Seminoles not playing vs. Duquesne - Fansided
    fansided.com
  2. News
    Update (5:45 p.m.): FSU exits weather delay, kickoff at 6:30 p.m. - 247 Sports
    247sports.com
  3. News
    Florida State dominates Duquesne following lightning delay in season opener - CBS Pittsburgh
    cbsnews.com
  4. News
    Florida State-Duquesne game in lightning advisory, could have delayed start - Saturday Road
    saturdayroad.com
Tags
severe-stormlightningweather-delaystadiumflorida-statedoak-campbell-stadiumgame-dayfootballpre-game-delay
Added June 2026Updated June 2026Via ingestion