Lightning Detection & Speaker System
Florida is known as the lightning capital of the United States of America. At any given moment, especially during the summer, life-threatening conditions can arise along the Gulf Coast and pose a dangerous threat to any outdoor activity.
To ensure the safety of beachgoers, the city has installed a system capable of providing timely warnings to beachgoers when lightning is detected within a 5-mile radius on Clearwater Beach.
How do they work?
- Lightning Detected Within 5-Miles: When lightning is detected within 5 miles, the speakers will automatically activate with an audible warning. It will play one long tone and follow with, "Attention please, lightning has been detected in the area. The water is now closed. Please leave the beach and seek shelter immediately."
In addition, lifeguards will close the water. A message will repeat throughout the 30 minutes with one long tone saying, "There is lightning in the area. The water is closed. Please leave the beach and seek shelter immediately."
- All Clear: Beach lifeguards will continue to monitor the proximity of thunderstorms. After 30 minutes of normal activity with no lightning strikes detected within a 5-mile radius, the lifeguards will notify the public that water activities can resume via the siren.
The siren will play three tones, and be followed by "Attention please. We have an all-clear. The water is now open. You may resume beach activities."
What should I do if I hear a siren?
Leave the beach immediately and seek shelter. No place outdoors is safe if lightning is in the area. If a substantial building is not available, fully enclosed motor vehicles can provide shelter as long as you do not touch the metal framework during the thunderstorm.
If no protection from lightning is available, stay away from tall objects such as lifeguard stands, light poles, flag poles, metal objects, standing pools of water and open areas.
Where are the speakers located?
- Barefoot Beach House, 332 S. Gulfview Blvd
- Beach Walk Gazebo, 301 S. Gulfview Blvd.
- Lifeguard Tower 0, 180 S. Gulfview Blvd.
- Pier 60, 1 Causeway Blvd.
- Lifeguard Tower 6, San Marco Street Beach Access Point
- Parking Lot 36 (Rockaway), 4 Rockaway St.
Where are the detectors located?
- Barefoot Beach House, 332 S. Gulfview Blvd
- Morningside Recreation Complex, 2400 Harn Blvd.
When is the system operational?
The system will send out audible alerts between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. Lifeguards will monitor the system during their operational hours.
Share Your Feedback
This initiative marks the first phase of a larger plan, which includes 19 locations already equipped with the warning speakers across the city. Activation of these additional systems will occur once the Clearwater Beach pilot system has been optimized.
Residents, business owners and visitors are encouraged to share their feedback online via the survey below to assist the city in enhancing the system's effectiveness.
Take Survey