CLEARWATER, Fla. — A new severe weather alert system in Clearwater Beach will help lifeguards clear the water more efficiently when storms roll in.

The city is establishing six lighting detection and warning systems down the main stretch of Clearwater Beach. The new technology consists of speakers fixed on poles or on top of lifeguard stations that can both detect lightning strikes in the area and give announcement when danger is near.

Through this new system, people visiting the beach will have clear directions on when they must get out of the water, why the order was given, and when it’s safe to return.

Lifeguard manager Patrick Brafford says they currently rely on a colored flag system and whistles to alert people of danger in the water.

“The problem is most people don’t know what that means or why they’re exiting the water,” Brafford says.

Some swimmers also don’t realize the urgency of the situation and don’t take shelter quickly, leaving lifeguards out in dangerous situations for extended periods of time as they work to clear the beach.

“They don’t know that there’s a storm coming in,” Brafford explained. “They don’t know that there’s lightning present.”

Right now,  the guards use a mix of radar and local weather reports to track the fast-moving storms that seem to pop up daily on summer afternoons. The policy is when lightning’s 15 miles away a "watch" is issued internally. Its upped to a "warning" at 10 miles and when strikes hit 5 miles, they close the water and clear the beach.

Brafford says each year they respond to anywhere from 3 to 5 incidents with lightning on the beach. Some lightning strikes are more serious and direct than others.

“It’s becoming more of a problem and storms seem to be getting a little worse,” he said.

The new lightning detection system will be fully installed and operational by the start of spring break.

Brafford asks that people listen to the warning tones and messages and take the announcements seriously. 

“We just want to bring safety out here and I think this system will enhance our ability to do that,” he said. 

In addition to the beaches, the same technology is being installed in parks and by public fields across the city of Clearwater.