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 residents and visitors, the city has installed a system capable of providing timely warnings to people when lightning is detected within a 5-mile radius.

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. Please seek shelter immediately."
  
  On Clearwater Beach, the 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: After 30 minutes of normal activity with no lightning strikes detected within a 5-mile radius, the siren will play three tones and be followed by "Attention, please. We have an all-clear. You may resume activities."

What should I do if I hear a siren?

Leave the area 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.
• Clearwater Beach Recreation Center, 69 Bay Esplanade
• Coachman Park, 300 Cleveland St.
• Countryside Recreation Center, 2640 Sabal Springs Dr.
• Countryside Sports Complex, 3060 McMullen Booth Road
• Crest Lake Park, 201 S Glenwood Ave.
• Eddie C. Moore (1-9), 3050 Drew St.
• Frank Tack Fields, 1967 N Hercules Ave.
• Glen Oaks Park, 1345 Court St.
• Henry L. McMullen Tennis Complex, 1000 Edenville Ave.
• Jack Russell Stadium, 1100 Seminole St.
• Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex, 2450 Drew St.
• Lifeguard Tower 0, 180 S. Gulfview Blvd.
• Lifeguard Tower 6, San Marco Street Beach Access Point
• Moccasin Lake Nature Park, 2750 Park Trail Lane
• Morningside Recreation Center, 2400 Harn Blvd.
• North Greenwood Recreation Center, 900 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave.
• Parking Lot 36 (Rockaway), 4 Rockaway St.
• Phillip Jones Park, 1240 Russell St.
• Pier 60, 1 Causeway Blvd.
• Ross Norton Recreation Center, 1426 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave.
• Sid Lickton Ballfield Complex, 714 N Saturn Ave.

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