Monday, April 27, 2015 – Ridgefield, New Jersey has taken a proactive step toward public safety with the installation of three automated lightning alerting systems at area facilities that include Veterans Park, Meadowlands Park, and Willis Park.

When lightning is detected within a ten mile radius, loud audible horns will sound to warn of the approaching danger. WeatherBug deployed the solution and operates the world’s largest weather observing and lightning networks. The Maryland-based company has been deploying weather sensors and implementing severe weather safety solutions at schools and public venues for 20 years.

“Knowing when lightning is approaching and having an automated method of warning community residents will go a long way in ensuring that everyone has a safe and fun time while enjoying outdoor activities in Ridgefield,” says Anthony Suarez, Mayor. “When you hear the siren sound, heed the warning and seek safety indoors immediately.”

Additionally, WeatherBug’s smartphone apps allow local residents to stay safer from lightning. The Spark lightning feature on the WeatherBug mobile app for Android and iOS phones and tablets reports how far away the nearest lightning is and helps users take action to stay safer. The apps are available for free in the Apple App Store and on Google Play.

On average, 50 people are killed by lightning in the U.S. every year, and about 10 times more are injured, making lightning safety a concern to anyone who spends time outdoors during the spring, summer and fall.

“When severe weather approaches, people will hear a very loud, audible siren from the Outdoor Alerting System,” says Frank McCathran, Director, WeatherBug Enterprise. “They will not necessarily know that years of technical and scientific expertise and thousands of hours of work went into developing this solution. But they should know that Ridgefield has implemented the most advanced severe weather and lightning alerting technology available today.”

The Outdoor Alerting System from WeatherBug warns of both cloud-to-ground and in-cloud lightning. In-cloud lightning makes up the vast majority of all lightning, and high rates of in-cloud lightning serve as a precursory indicator of the potential for severe weather activity, including dangerous cloud-to-ground lightning strikes.

Ridgefield officials will also be able to track severe weather, including lightning, and receive alerts using an advanced web-based weather visualization tool called StreamerRT, which works in unison with the sirens onsite. StreamerRT is used across industries and all levels of government to track conditions at local, regional, national and international levels for critical decision making.

About WeatherBug®

Millions rely on WeatherBug’s apps and website for the best forecasts, the fastest alerts and more. Our sensors, deployed at thousands of schools, major sports stadiums, broadcast TV stations and public safety facilities, put the power of the largest commercial-grade weather network at your fingertips. Our exclusive Spark™ feature is the only tool that puts minute-by-minute, mile-by-mile lightning detection in the palm of your hand on your iPhone, iPad or Android device. WeatherBug is operated by Earth Networks. Learn more at www.earthnetworks.com.