Jacksonville, FL — As we're about to enter Florida's stormy summer season, the City of Atlantic Beach has rolled out a new lightning prediction system to help keep you safe.
Atlantic Beach’s Deputy City Manager, Kevin Hogencamp, says the system is designed to alert visitors on and near the beach that lightning is imminent in the area.
We're told the system, manufactured and sold by Thor Guard, is able to sense static buildup in the atmosphere and alerts residents by initially sending out a 15-second horn blast that a lightning strike is predicted within 2.5 miles. Typically, we're told it's able to send out the alert 10 to 15 minutes before a strike actually happens, giving families time to take shelter.
After the initial horn blast, a bright strobe light is activated and continues flashing throughout the alert. Once the threat is over, the system will sound the horn three short times.
Hogencamp says the system only operates between 9 AM and 9 PM, so it won't disturb residents overnight.
Currently, sirens are installed at the beach at 6th and 16th Streets, and at the Adele Grage Cultural Center, but Hogencamp says they plan to expand the system westward to also eventually cover Russell Park. He tells us that the Atlantic Beach Country Club has also recently installed a lightning prediction system that complements the one the city has.
Hogencamp says the city’s system officially became operational on May 31st. It cost $26,275 with $25,000 of that coming from the city's tourist development fund. The system will also require a $725 annual maintenance cost.
He says the city’s decision to invest in such a system was influenced by lightning strikes on the beach, including one incident just last year.
The city is asking you to share your thoughts on this new system, including any noise complaints, via email at info@coab.us or by phone at (904) 247-5804.