Fans wear ponchos after returning to their seats following a delay for severe weather during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game between Washington and California, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
The Associated Press
SEATTLE (AP) - No. 14 Washington's game against California has resumed after a delay of more than 2 ˆ½ hours on Saturday night due to severe weather in the Seattle area.
The game was stopped shortly before 8 p.m., with 9:46 remaining in the first quarter, and resumed at 10:30 p.m. According to the National Weather Service, severe thunderstorms and lightning were moving from the south toward the Seattle metro area.
Teams cleared the field and fans sitting in metal bleacher sections of Husky Stadium were encouraged to seek shelter.
The warning was accurate.
The storms moved swiftly into the area. Within minutes of the delay, lightning was flashing in the sky. Fans were removed from the open bleachers of the stadium and huddled under cover or in the concourses of the stadium. Thousands made their way to the parking lots surrounding Husky Stadium and resumed tailgating, although many just got in their vehicles and headed home with the already late kickoff.
During the delay, the stadium DJ went through a long list of rain-related songs including "Thunder," ''Thunderstruck," and "Thunder Rolls," among others.
As the rain picked up in intensity, the sky was a continual flash as lightning was constant throughout the area. About 90 minutes into the delay, the weather calmed down but just after the delay hit the two-hour mark, another lightning flash just delayed the restart.
Shortly after 10 p.m., Washington coach Chris Petersen grabbed a stadium microphone and announced the game was resuming.
The game was scoreless when the delay hit.
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Harry, the Washington Huskies' mascot, waves a rain-soaked "W" flag after an announcement that play would resume following a delay for severe weather during the first quarter of the team's NCAA college football game against California, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
The Associated Press
Washington quarterback Jacob Eason (10) and teammates run out of the tunnel as smoke effects go off before the team's NCAA college football game against California, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
The Associated Press
Fans huddle in a stairway at Husky Stadium during a weather delay in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game between Washington and California, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Seattle. Fans were urged to seek shelter in nearby buildings due to the possibility of severe weather in the area. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
The Associated Press
Lightning flashes in the sky beyond Husky Stadium during a weather delay in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game between Washington and California, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Seattle. Fans were directed to seek shelter in nearby buildings due to severe weather in the area. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
The Associated Press
A fan takes advantage of a severe weather delay to throw a yardage marker into the stands at Husky Stadium during a weather delay in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game between Washington and California, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Seattle. The marker was later returned to the field. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
The Associated Press
A fan stands under an umbrella as another runs for shelter as rain starts to fall at Husky Stadium during a weather delay in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game between Washington and California, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Seattle. Fans were urged to seek shelter in nearby buildings due to the possibility of severe weather in the area. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
The Associated Press
Lightning lights up clouds above Husky Stadium during a weather delay in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game between Washington and California, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Seattle. Fans were directed to seek shelter in nearby buildings due to severe weather in the area. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
The Associated Press