Watch the press conference on Orange TV "Video on Demand" service.

Orange County Mayor Richard Crotty was joined by Bart Hagemeyer from the National Weather Service and Preston Cook Orange County's Director of Emergency Management to promote public safety during severe weather events. Florida is widely known as the "Lightning Capital of the United States."  On average, more people are killed and injured by lightning strikes than during hurricanes. Mayor Crotty discussed efforts to promote storm safety, dispel some lightning myths and showcase the state-of-the-art lightning early warnings systems deployed at many Orange County Parks.

Our busiest parks are equipped with the Thor-Guard early warning lightning system.  This system provides a warning 8 to 20 minutes before the first bolt strikes, allowing time for park visitors to seek immediate shelter.

Orange County installed 30 professional grade weather stations at fire stations through out the county. These weather stations provide real time information regarding temperature, humidity, heat index, wind chill, rainfall, wind speed and direction.  These weather stations are part of a network of weather stations across the State of Florida and the United States.

The systems use software that monitors all the weather stations 24 hours a day so we can track severe weather that may threaten and impact Orange County.

Safety Tips

All thunderstorms produce lightning.

Lightning can strike within ten miles of any rainfall.

Don't be fooled by blue skies, if you hear thunder, stay indoors.

Apply the 30/30 Rule; if you see a flash of lightning and you hear thunder before you count to 30, you need to get to a safe location.

Stay indoors, and enclosed home or building, stay away from windows and doors
Sheds, picnic shelters, tents or porches will not protect your from lightning.

If you must seek shelter in a car or truck, it should have a metal roof and keep the windows rolled up.  Keep your hands off anything metal in the vehicle.

For more tips and storm preparedness information visit the Office of Emergency Management website.