How the City of Cape Canaveral Protects Its Critical Infrastructure from Lightning Strikes
How the City of Cape Canaveral Protects Its Critical Infrastructure from Lightning Strikes
Cape Canaveral, Florida, is no stranger to lightning. Located in one of the most strike-prone regions of the United States, the city has faced costly damages and service disruptions due to severe thunderstorms. But thanks to the City’s forward-thinking leadership, Cape Canaveral
has now become a model for municipal lightning protection—by implementing an innovative system designed not just to survive lightning, but to stop it before it forms.
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Cape Canaveral Case Study
The Lightning Threat in Central Florida
Cape Canaveral
sits in a corridor that averages 56 lightning strikes per square mile annually. In 2021, the city’s Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) was hit by lightning, causing over $76,000 in damage to its telecommunications systems, pumps, and monitoring controls. A strike the following year at City Hall resulted in additional damages, including harm to several staff vehicles.
Recognizing lightning as a serious and recurring threat, city staff began seeking a solution that went beyond traditional lightning rods and surge protectors. They needed a system that could prevent lightning from striking altogether—and found their answer in the CMCE Lightning Suppressor.
Real-World Results Across City Facilities
Cape Canaveral
now has six CMCE devices installed
across five critical properties:
1. Water Reclamation Facility (WRF)
- Installed: January 2022
- Devices: CMCE-120 and CMCE-55
- Outcome: No strikes or damage since installation
2. Municipal Complex (City Hall, Library, BCSO Precinct, and more)
- Installed: March 2023
- Devices: CMCE-55 on City Hall, CMCE-120 at Nancy Hanson Recreation Complex
- Outcome: No lightning strikes or damage since installation
3. Community Center (C5 at Canaveral City Park)
- Installed: Upgraded in October 2024
- Original device (CMCE-55) upgraded to CMCE-120 to expand coverage
- Outcome: Enhanced protection for solar panels, splash pad, playground, and greenspace
4. Canaveral Fire Rescue Station #53
- Installed: October 2024
- Device: CMCE-55 (relocated from C5)
- Outcome: Full dome protection over the city’s only fire station
A Safer, More Resilient City
Cape Canaveral’s
investment in CMCE technology underscores a growing movement among coastal and high-risk communities: preventative lightning protection rather than reactive damage control. From wastewater systems to fire stations and recreation areas, the city is now better protected against one of Florida’s most dangerous natural threats.
Choose Peace of Mind. Choose CMCE.
Contact us today at (888) 318-2333
or cmcesales@capitolelectronics.com
to learn more about how the CMCE Lightning Suppressor can protect your property.
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Luxury Living, Elevated Olympus Property is a nationally recognized leader in luxury multifamily living, known for managing and developing high-end residential communities across the United States. With a strong emphasis on lifestyle, comfort, and long-term value, Olympus Property has built a reputation for excellence in both service and innovation. One of its standout communities, Olympus Harbour Island , is a prime example of upscale urban living. Located on Tampa’s exclusive Harbour Island, this waterfront property offers resort-style amenities, panoramic city views, and proximity to downtown attractions, all while maintaining an air of refined tranquility. Olympus Harbour Island’s Vulnerability to Strikes The premium location that makes Olympus Harbour Island so desirable also places it at a heightened risk for lightning strikes. Tampa, Florida, is widely regarded as the “Lightning Capital of North America,” experiencing some of the highest lightning strike densities in the country. With Harbour Island’s exposure to open water and its array of tall, modern structures, the community faced real vulnerability to lightning-related damage. These risks included power surges, potential fire hazards, structural damage, and service disruptions—each of which could compromise resident safety, operational integrity, and the luxury living experience Olympus strives to uphold. Game-Changing Protection: CMCE Lightning Suppression To address these concerns, Olympus Property installed the advanced CMCE Lightning Suppressors at Olympus Harbour Island . Specifically, the property is now protected with a CMCE-120 and a CMCE-55 , covering 600,000 square feet total. Unlike traditional lightning rods that attempt to redirect a strike to the ground, the CMCE is engineered to prevent lightning formation altogether. It works by balancing the electrical field and deionizing the surrounding atmosphere, effectively eliminating the conditions necessary for lightning to form. In doing so, the CMCE creates an invisible shield—like a protective dome—over the covered area, ensuring that lightning simply cannot develop or strike within its coverage area. Prevention Over Reaction: The Benefits of CMCE This proactive and preventative approach aligns with Olympus Property’s dedication to forward-thinking solutions and resident safety. By installing the CMCE-120 and CMCE-55 Lightning Suppressors , Olympus Harbour Island has eliminated its exposure to lightning threats, ensuring uninterrupted comfort for residents and safeguarding the property’s critical infrastructure. Choose Innovation You Can Trust Are you interested in protecting your structure from lightning strikes with CMCE Lightning Suppression ? Contact our team today at cmcesales@capitolelectronics.com or call (888) 318-2333 to request a quote.
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