Scattered storms, lightning hit Southern California and prompt beach closures
High winds and rolling thunderstorms forced the closure of some beaches, including Venice Beach and Malibu beaches.
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (KABC) — Two separate and distinct storms produced dramatic beach closure warnings as the severe weather system moved inland. The storms produced scattered lightning strikes, resulting in beach closures and the evacuation of several homes.
The first severe weather system formed in Southern California, and then moved into Southern Nevada. The second system formed out of the Great Basin, and moved into Northern Nevada and California.
The first system brought lightning strikes to beach communities in Santa Clara County, including a beach that was closed and many others that were under an evacuation warning.
The second storm moved quickly through Southern California, but the beach closings and evacuations were due to heavy rainfall. As of 4 p.m., Southern California was under a flash flood warning.
“We were expecting 10 to 15 inches of rain across the coast of Northern Nevada into Southern California,” said Storm Prediction Center Director Dave Williams. “When the rain moves in this is when we see the thunderstorms that produce lightning strikes on the coast. “
The storm system produced scattered thunderstorms, including lightning strikes on the North Bay Shores boardwalk, which were followed by a water rescue and beach closure.
Lightning strikes caused the closure of Malibu Beach Boulevard, which has been a popular spot for people to meet and enjoy the beach. Malibu Beach Boulevard will remain open until about 2:30 a.m.
Officials closed the beach in northern San Diego County, after several lightning strikes on Malibu Beach Boulevard killed one person and injured another. The beach was closed until about 9:30p.m. Friday.
A total of three beach closures were issued by Cal Fire in San Diego County and one of them was for Redondo Beach.
A second storm system was spawned from the Great Basin and moved east. The second system moved quickly, causing widespread thunderstorms, including one that was a strong tornado and was reported across portions of Southern Nevada. The storm was moving northeast out of the Valley and down to the Oregon-California border at about 9:40 p.m. Friday.