LOS ANGELES (KABC) --
Lightning and severe thunderstorms left thousands without power and
temporarily shut down beaches across the Southland on Saturday.About 16,000 Southern California Edison customers were impacted by the power outage, including communities in Arrowhead, Redlands, Wildomar, Victorville, Foothill, Menifee, Compton and Whittier, according to the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. Not all power outages, however, were related to rain.
Crews are working to restore the power in the affected areas, but it could take several hours.
Beaches across the Southland, including those in Ventura, Los Angeles and Orange counties, were temporarily shut down due to threats of lightning strikes. Dangerous surf and rip currents were also reported.
Several beaches and piers reopened at 6 p.m.