The storm warning technology that protects the city’s outdoor recreational areas is getting an upgrade as the 2024 hurricane season kicks into gear. The Parks & Recreation Department recently enhanced the city’s participation in the Thor Guard lightning detection system with new capabilities and real-time access.
Thor Guard is designed to predict lighting strikes by measuring the amount of static electricity in the atmosphere and monitoring its buildup. When dangerous conditions are detected, a 15-second warning horn blast and a flashing strobe light will signal the suspension of all outdoor activities in the area with strobe flashes continuing until the danger has passed. A new software package will allow information to be routed to a downloadable smartphone app that will enable residents to monitor conditions as they change.
According to a city spokesperson, the additions upgrade a 15-year-old detection system and are located at recreational areas on the east and west sides of the city. The first location, dubbed Winter Park 195, includes the Winter Park Community Center and pool, Martin Luther King, Jr. Park, Winter Park Tennis Center, and the Winter Park 9 golf course. The second location, Winter Park 196, covers Cady Way Park and pool, Ward Park, Showalter Field, and the Winter Park Pines Golf Course. There are no plans to add additional warning systems, but more could be added if deemed necessary.
Funding for the upgrades comes from the Capital Improvements budget and the city’s annual software subscription fee will be included in the Parks & Recreation budget.
Residents are encouraged to create household strategies for dealing with whatever the 2024 hurricane season has in store. A list of procedures and city and county contacts are available in the City of Winter Park’s hurricane preparedness guide. A list of official city information resources is as follows:
- citEnews email service – cityofwinterpark.org/citEnews
- Facebook – facebook.com/WinterParkEmergencyInfo
- Twitter – twitter.com/WinterParkFla
- Nextdoor – sign up at nextdoor.com
- City’s emergency alert system – sign up at cityofwinterpark.org/outreach.
Additional resources include:
- Non-emergency information line 407-599-3494 (live during Emergency Operation Center activation)
- Report electric utility power outages to 1-877-811-8700
- Report water & wastewater utilities outages to 407-599-3219
