Lightning Storm Forces Closure Of SoCal Beaches

MALIBU, CA — A lightning storm forced the closure of some Southern California beaches Wednesday morning amid the first rains of the season.

At about 9 a.m., an electrical storm with lightning shut down the beach in Santa Monica. The City asked for beachgoers to evacuate all ocean and sand areas, and seek shelter indoors until the storm ended.

Due to the potential threat of lightning, lifeguards will be patrolling the beaches from Topanga to Marina del Rey advising beachgoers to be ready to seek shelter, according to Los Angeles County lifeguards.

Sandbags lined vulnerable neighborhoods and berms were placed at other local beaches, ABC7 reported.

Farther down the coast in Seal Beach, lightning also prompted officials to close their beach and pier.

The City of Seal Beach Lifeguards and Marine Safety told Patch this weather system is a series of storm cells, so they will be closing and opening the beaches on and off Wednesday.

This story will be updated if more beaches are closed due to weather.