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Angelenos were rudely awoken on a Saturday morning as a thunderstorm brought showers and set off car alarms across the basin.
Tropical Depression Dolores brought brief bursts of heavy rain and thunder and lightning strikes to Los Angeles around 8 a.m., Saturday morning. While L.A. County lifeguards previously warned of heavy surf as a result of the system, lifeguards closed beaches throughout the entire county due to the lightning strikes near the coast:
Update: All beaches have been reopened, but lifeguards advise visitors to remain prepared. Beaches have been closed again until at least 4:30 p.m.!
If you are unable to get to a building w/ four walls & roof for cover. Get in your car! Do not go in ocean #lightning pic.twitter.com/B0DMmGtiV8
— LACoLifeguards (@LACoLifeguards) July 18, 2015
Last summer, one person was killed and several injured as a result of a lightning strike in Venice Beach.
The National Weather Service says the storms are expected to roll through Los Angeles in towards the northeast, traveling about 20 mph according to City News Service.
A strong thunderstorm was moving over downtown L.A. into San Gabriel Valley. If you hear thunder stay inside. #cawx pic.twitter.com/2lOqCjCO2R
— NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) July 18, 2015
In heavy rain and even hail was reported in some parts of the city, and in Echo Park a small fire was reported to have been caused by a lightning strike:
Massive lightning storm in #EchoPark caused this fire out our window. Is this end of days?? @LinzHicks pic.twitter.com/EBrLCaalIF
— Laura Zak (@la_wa) July 18, 2015
Los Angeles experienced similar weather last month when the remnants of Tropical Storm Bianca rolled through the region.
Cars burning on the freeway, and now thunder. Yup, it's definitely the apocalypse in Southern California.
Got a shot of a cool lightning strike in #hollywood @LATimescitybeat @latimes @LAist #MyDayInLA pic.twitter.com/sft4BCXP2M
— W. James Chamberlain (@chnkymshdpts) July 18, 2015
If you have a car at lake level in echo park MOVE IT NOW. Street is flooding. @LAScanner @echoparknow
— Gianennio Salucci (@gianennio) July 18, 2015
The loudest thunder I have EVER heard and I am from the Northwest. If you are out in LA go home.
— Red (@ThefoodFriends) July 18, 2015
The stormy sky over Playa del Rey. I'm hearing thunder here, too. #summerstorm #thunderstorm #lightningstrikes pic.twitter.com/iLixkZjCkQ
— Jovana Lara (@abc7jovana) July 18, 2015
Look at this thunderstorm reaching from Downtown LA to Glendale! #LAweather t pic.twitter.com/Wa4aXDBlQU
— Bri Winkler (@abc7briwinkler) July 18, 2015
What the heck is this thunder? The tarpits gods angry or something?
— Miracle Mile LA (@MiracleMileLA) July 18, 2015
Prepare 10 young men to sacrifice asap!!!