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Terrifying Thunderstorm Wakes Up Angelenos Sleeping In On A Saturday Morning

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Photo by *BUTLER (zsumoz) via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr
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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.!

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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.

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:

Los Angeles experienced similar weather last month when the remnants of Tropical Storm Bianca rolled through the region.

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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

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