Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Terrifying Thunderstorm Wakes Up Angelenos Sleeping In On A Saturday Morning
Photo by *BUTLER (zsumoz) via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr
()
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
Support for LAist comes from
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.
Support for LAist comes from
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!!!
Support for LAist comes from
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The critical findings are part of long-awaited after-action report was released Thursday. It contains recommendations for increasing emergency staffing and updating old systems. -
Diving has changed, mountain biking has been added. Here's where to watch the Olympics in person in 2028. -
'A Great Day in the Stoke' is a free, daylong event in Orange County billed as 'the largest gathering of Black surfers in history.' The fourth annual festival is set for Saturday in Huntington Beach. -
Kimmel returned less than a week after ABC suspended his show over comments he made about the assassination of right wing activist Charlie Kirk. -
Southern California might see some light rain tonight into Wednesday morning. After that, cooler weather is on the way, but expect the humidity to remain. -
A gate tax at Disney? It's a possibility.
Best of LAist