SANTA MONICA, CA – Lifeguards cleared the water and all of Los Angeles County’s beaches after lightning struck the beach Monday afternoon.
Beaches along the coast, from San Pedro to Malibu, are closed, according to the Lifeguard Division of the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Avalon and Catalina Island are closed.
“We are experiencing numerous lightning strikes in the greater Los Angeles area,” said the Los Angeles County Fire Department via Twitter. “For your safety, we recommend that residents seek shelter and stay indoors until this lightning activity subsides.”
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Lightning and thunder struck the coast around 4:30 p.m. Shortly afterwards rain fell. Heavy showers were reported in Long Beach and north of Two Harbors.
“Expect lightning, gusty winds and possibly a little hail in this storm,” reports the NWS.
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People were asked to leave the beach area.
“Lifeguards will purify everyone’s water and advise guests on the beach to seek shelter immediately,” officials said.
Seafarers have been warned to check weather conditions before setting out.
“If you get caught in a thunderstorm, return to port immediately and seek shelter,” officials said.
The National Weather Service estimates that tonight will be mostly cloudy, with a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms in Los Angeles County. Lows are in the upper 50s and 60s. In the evening, westerly winds of up to 15 miles per hour are expected.
Tuesday is expected to be mostly cloudy and then sunny in the morning. The highs are expected to hit the upper 60s on the beaches through the upper 70s inland. The southwest wind hits about 15 miles per hour in the afternoon.
(Courtesy Jamie Dixon)
Editor’s note: This story was updated with an additional image at 5:50 p.m.
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Beach Lightning: Lifeguards shut down all Los Angeles beaches
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