[Update: 1:37 p.m.]: A City of Malibu alert states that the lifeguards will begin reopening the beaches following a thunderstorm and lightning from earlier today.
LA County Fire Department, Lifeguard Division, has closed all Malibu beaches until further notice due to previous thunderstorms and lightning today, July 18.
Active lightning cells are going north, from Santa Monica to Malibu, per an alert from the City of Malibu. Being near sand is dangerous, as it is a “known conductor of electricity generated by lightning strikes in the ocean.”Â
According to the National Weather Service, LA and Ventura counties are under thunderstorm warning through Thursday, July 19. Residents can potentially expect heavy downpours, possible flash flooding and “strong and erratic wind gusts.”
If you hear thunder, NWS recommends you find shelter indoors.Â
The beaches will reopen once the lightning cells move past the Malibu area.Â