Tybee Island lifeguards cleared swimmers from the ocean Sunday morning after lightning was detected within 12 miles of the beach.

🌊 What’s Happening: Lifeguards announced the water closure at 11:30 a.m. Sunday and standard procedure is to keep swimmers out of the ocean for at least 30 minutes after the last lightning strike is detected within the 12-mile safety zone.

⚡ Why It Matters: Lightning poses a serious safety threat to beachgoers, especially those in the water where electricity can travel long distances. The evacuation is a standard safety protocol to protect visitors during summer thunderstorms.

📱 Safety Tips: Officials recommend visitors download lightning tracking apps to monitor conditions, especially during off-duty lifeguard hours. The warning serves as a reminder that even on seemingly pleasant beach days, weather conditions can change rapidly.

The Sources: Tybee Island Ocean Rescue and City of Tybee Island.

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B.T. Clark is the Publisher of The Georgia Sun and author of Principles Are Like Pants… You Ought to Have Some. Over two decades in journalism, he has served as Managing Editor of Neighbor Newspapers in metro Atlanta and Digital Director at Times-Journal Inc., earning multiple awards along the way. His work has appeared in newspapers across the state, including The Cherokee Tribune and The Marietta Daily Journal.