New Lightning Alert System To Be Installed At Howard County Parks

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — A new outdoor lightning alert system will be installed at six of Howard County’s eight regional parks: Blandair Park, Cedar Lane Park, Rockburn Branch Park, Schooley Mill Park, Troy Park and Western Regional Park. Additional alert systems are expected to be installed at Savage Park and Centennial Park by this fall.

Designed to provide advance warning of impending lightning, park users hopefully will have time to seek shelter during a thunderstorm. Each unit to be installed at the parks is comprised of a high-decibel horn and strobe light, providing 360 degrees of audible and visual coverage. The horn and strobe light will activate for 15-seconds once the unit senses lightning within 10 miles of the park. After the unit has activated, all activities including games and practices will stop so that park visitors can seek shelter. Once lightning is no longer a threat, the horn will sound in three five-second bursts to alert park users that activities, games and practices may resume.

During activation of the lightning alert system, Howard County asks that park users find a shelter with a roof and four walls or within their vehicle. It is not recommended to seek shelter under a pavilion or other semi-open space.

“This system brings intelligent alert and warning to these parks making patrons better able to make decisions regarding their safety,” Howard County Office of Emergency Management Director Michael Hinson said in a news release.