Zuma Beach was shut down due to lightning. Los Angeles County lifeguards closed down the beach shortly before 9 a.m. Malibu city officials said other beaches are being monitored and may be closed depending on storm activity and direction.
MORE: Southern California forecast
{BEACH LIGHTNING} possible for the next couple of hours per @NWSLosAngeles. Los Angeles County Beaches including Venice, Santa Monica, Will Rogers, Malibu, and Zuma are currently monitoring weather. If lightning is present we urge beachgoers to seek shelter off the beach. pic.twitter.com/ZuVBTfUVR5
— LACoFD Lifeguards (@LACoLifeguards) January 31, 2019
Residents and visitors were urged to stay away from all beaches until the series of storms forecast for Thursday through Monday have passed through Malibu.
Also in the area, a mudslide and flooding shut down a 14-mile stretch of Pacific Coast Highway from northern Broad Beach Road to Las Posas Road in Ventura County, Malibu officials said.
PCH was reopened by around 4 p.m. as Caltrans crews were able to clear the mud and debris from the roadway.
All lanes PCH from northern Broad Beach Rd to Las Posas #malibu https://t.co/aER2grxyrO
— City of Malibu (@CityMalibu) January 31, 2019
SR-1 (#PCH) CLOSED in both directions from #Trancas Cyn Rd (#Malibu) to #LasPosas Rd (#Ventura Co.) due to mud #slide north of #Yerba Buena Rd. Unknown duration. Residents only with ID permitted WHEN SAFE: SB from Las Posas to #Deer Creek Rd. NB from SR-23 to Yerba Buena pic.twitter.com/w0sodp3hnC
— Caltrans District 7 (@CaltransDist7) January 31, 2019
The rain pushed mud and debris onto PCH near Deer Creek Canyon Road, causing traffic to be backed up. Caltrans said lanes were still open but warned that may change depending on conditions.
Traffic is stopped along #PCH near Dear Creek road because of mud flow. #Heavyrain falling in #malibu #burnareas. Details @ABC7 at 11am. pic.twitter.com/ytJJsHiBPb
— Sid Garcia (@abc7sid) January 31, 2019
"Yup, this is the new normal," said Ventura resident Barry Kriegstein. "Unfortunately, this is what happens. That's why we live out here. You just have to deal with it."
The National Weather Service issued a flash flood watch in areas impacted by wildfires, including the Woolsey Fire burn area, until 3 p.m.
All ocean and beach areas in Santa Monica were shut down after an electrical storm with lightning was reported in the region. Lightning also shut down Hermosa and Seal beaches, including the piers.
An electrical storm with lightning has been reported in Santa Monica. Please evacuate all ocean and beach/sand areas. If on the beach or on the Santa Monica Pier, seek shelter indoors until the storm has ended. pic.twitter.com/M50UjKGmXH
— City of Santa Monica (@santamonicacity) January 31, 2019
The National Weather Service also issued a small craft advisory through 3 p.m., Los Angeles County lifeguards said on Twitter.
{SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY} in effect through 3PM this afternoon per @NWSLosAngeles. Hazardous sea conditions may exist mariners along the inner coastal waters including Santa Catalina Island.
— LACoFD Lifeguards (@LACoLifeguards) January 31, 2019
The leading edge of the storm began dropping rain in Ventura County and was moving down toward Los Angeles County.
Thursday's storm will be short but strong, with the heaviest rain expected in the afternoon. The rain will likely be wrapped by early Thursday evening. Another storm is moving in Friday night.
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