Lightning Alerting Systems

Lightning System

The City of Longwood's two parks: Reiter Park & Candyland Sports Complex is now equipped with an Earth Networks Sferic Siren Lightning Alerting System warning you about lightning and severe storms.

When lightning and severe storms come near these locations, the system will sound a loud horn and activate a flashing strobe light, indicating it is unsafe to be outdoors.

What do the sounds and Strobe Lights Mean?

  • One long 15-second horn blast: Lightning is detected. Time to take shelter immediately!
  • Strobe Flashing: Lightning is in the area under alert. It is unsafe to be outdoors.
  • Three short 5-second horn blasts: All-Clear. It's safe to resume activities.

When lightning is in the area, it's important to take shelter in a safe weather-proof indoor location.

The Earth Networks Total Lightning Network monitors the skies for both in-cloud and cloud-to-ground lightning strikes (aka "total lightning"). When lightning is detected, this global network of lightning sensors automatically issues severe weather alerts to impacted areas - up to 50% faster than other sources.

Please note, that our parks may have "silence times" enabled during nighttime or other hours when the facility is closed. During these time frames, the Sferic Siren will not activate when lightning is detected.