Lightning Warning Device

Lightning detection device installed in Johns Creek

Summer storms can pop up anytime and anywhere in Georgia. But one city is using technology to keep people outside safe.

Johns Creek has installed two lightning detection devices. One of the devices at Newtown Recreation Park on Old Alabama Road just installed one in May. The device emits a 15-second siren, similar to a tornado siren, warning people that a storm is coming. 

"They are lightning prediction devices and they measure the electricity in the air," said Doug Nurse, the Communications Director for Johns Creek. "When there is a potential threat, a 15-second alarm sounds and a strobe goes off. It tells people to take shelter, or get in their cars," Nurse said.

Nurse said Johns Creek has not had a fatality because of a lightning strike and they want to keep it that way. 

"It could easily save lives," Nurse said. "People get struck by lightning all the time."

The $5,000 alarm was purchased by Newtown Recreation, a non-profit, that runs the park. 

"It was a no-brainer," said Aris Mavridoglou.  Mavridoglou is the Programs Director for Newtown Recreation.

"With this, it allows us to continue to play," said Mavridoglou. "We are safe. A couple of weeks ago it looked kind of crummy outside, we just kept playing until we heard the system.  This lets them (park goers) know there is no debate, when the system goes off, get off the field," Mavridoglou said.

People who come to the park told CBS Atlanta News they will take cover when they hear the alarm.

"I think it is a really good thing," said Aaron Duffner. "There are a lot of people here, so if there is a chance of rain you can still come here and not worry about it too much until you hear that alarm," Duffner said.

Hand-held lightning detector and storm warning device

January 7, 2007 Looking more like a garage door remote control than any sort of scientific device, this lightning detector from SkyScan has the ability to detect the characteristic electromagnetic emissions from individual lightning strikes actual and determine how far away it is and whether it is moving towards you or away from you. With a 40 mile range of detection, the device gives the user ample time to seek shelter in the event of a lightning storm.

The casing is made from tough, weatherproof ABS plastic and the device features 4 LED warning lights for ranges of 0-3, 3-8, 8-20 and 20-40 miles, plus an audible tone. It also comes with a low battery light/tone and a belt clip for portability. Running on two 9-Volt batteries users will get 40-70 hours of detection from the life of the batteries.

The unit has applications for both commercial and everyday consumers with clients as varied as the armed forces, local governments, utility companies, sporting teams, golfers, boaters, campers and fishermen. SkyScan’s lightning detector is available online with a recommended retail price of USD$225.95.

A smaller, pager-like device was released by StrikeAlert some time ago and was the first personal device for lightning detection. The unit was built in response to statistics that as many as 100 Americans die from lightning strikes each year.

Via Blogpire .

Golf course irrigation, environmental design and management practices

Lightning, Fire from the Sky

Meteorological and geoastrophysical abstracts

Code of Federal Regulations, Title 14, Aeronautics and Space, Pt. 110-199, Revised as of January 1, 2011

Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir wetenskap