May 20, 2021
The Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors will be TESTING the newly installed Beach Emergency Evacuation Lights System (BEELS) at Torrance Beach on Thursday, May 20 from 3 to 5 p.m. This is only a test. There is no active emergency.
What is BEELS?
• BEELS is a new beach evacuation alert system designed for all beachgoers, including those who are deaf or hard of hearing.
• During a beach evacuation, BEELS will flash white LED lights mounted on permanent structures and some lifeguard towers and broadcast an audible siren and an evacuation announcement in both English and Spanish.
• The announcement message will change depending on the evacuation type. The lights will flash slowly for a water-only evacuation and quickly for a complete beach evacuation.
Other beaches have audible sirens to warn visitors about beach evacuations. Still, BEELS is the first worldwide to incorporate flashing lights to alert those who are deaf or hard of hearing.
BEELS testing will be taking place at Torrance Beach, 387 Paseo De la Playa, Redondo Beach
This is for your general awareness. There is no action required.
• While some of the tests scheduled for April 29 will have announcements saying, “This is only a test,” the recorded messages warning of evacuations will also need to be tested. This means that beachgoers and neighbors may hear evacuation alerts for tsunami warnings, severe thunderstorms, shark sightings, earthquakes, and other beach and water emergencies. These messages will be played at maximum volume, so people with sensitive hearing, pets, and small children may wish to avoid the area.
BEELS is being piloted at Torrance Beach to expand it to every beach in Los Angeles County eventually.
For more information, please visit LA County Beaches and Harbors BEELS website by visiting https://beaches.lacounty.gov/beach-emergency-evacuation-lights-system/.