I've been living in and around Venice Beach since around 1980 or so. I don't remember it ever raining in July, nor do I remember any thunder in the past in July. Yesterday, as I was about to leave for the paddle tennis courts at Venice Beach, it started raining, so waited around 15 minutes and it stopped. Rode my bike to the beach and started playing some paddle tennis. Suddenly, with no warning (i.e. - no distant thunder getting closer, no really black clouds, etc.) there was a pretty bright flash of lightning, and a strong lightning bolt flashed across the sky, followed instantly by one of the loudest claps of thunder I've ever heard. Car alarms went off, and people ducked thinking there was a bomb or explosion. It was that loud! Then sirens. And shortly after, news helicopters, so figured something had happened. There was only one more lightning bolt much farther away to the south. Might have been the one that hit a house in Redondo Beach.
Unfortunately, the one at Venice struck the beach/water injuring at least 12 people and killing one.
I'm originally from Long Island, and we could always see approaching thunderstorms, and get out of the way. This one, there was no way to know or be warned. All I can say is that if it is hot and humid, and starts to sprinkle, be very careful. It may be that way for a few more days out here.
On a more positive note, photos of the bikini contest will be posted here in a few days. Meanwhile, this is what it looked like from the bleachers looking towards the ocean at Muscle Beach on July 26, when it was nice and sunny:
Hope you all have a good week and enjoy the Summer. Take care and be well.
No comments:
Post a Comment