Lightning strikes light up skies across SoCal

ByABC7.com staff KABC logo
Wednesday, March 6, 2019
Lightning strikes light up skies across SoCal
Lightning was lighting up the skies around Southern California as a heavy storm moved into the region.

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A heavy storm moved into the region Tuesday night, putting on a bright but potentially dangerous show for Southern Californians, illuminating the skies with lightning strikes from Santa Barbara to the San Gabriel Valley.

The storm was expected to dump two inches or more of rain by Wednesday in some areas.

RELATED: Strong storm set to hit SoCal hard Wednesday morning

Additionally, the National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning until 10:30 p.m. for Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.

The warning applied to areas affected by the Thomas Fire, saying radar indicated heavy rain, with an expectation of flash flooding and debris flows. Residents were urged to take precautions against likely flooding, including moving to higher parts of their homes and staying out of likely paths of fast-moving water.

A flash flood watch was issued for parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties until 11 a.m. Wednesday. Wind advisories were also in effect for Los Angeles County mountain areas and the Antelope Valley until noon.

As the storm moved in from the north, residents recorded multiple lightning strikes in Santa Barbara County, Simi Valley, the Antelope Valley, Hollywood and the San Gabriel Valley, among other locations.

And at least one airplane leaving from Los Angeles was reportedly struck by lightning and returned to LAX as a precaution. The Delta flight 2432 was heading to Seattle, and other flights were also being diverted for weather reasons, aviation photojournalist Tom Podolec reported on Twitter.

If you have pictures or videos of lightning, share with us on social media using #abc7eyewitness.