Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Staying Safe During Extreme Weather
Los Angeles County and surrounding areas are currently under a severe thunderstorm warning issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) on Wednesday at 1:42 a.m. The warning remains in effect until 2:30 a.m., urging residents to prepare for potentially dangerous conditions, including wind gusts of up to 60 mph.
What to Expect
According to the NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from Hwy 138 Between I-15 And Hwy 2 to near Carson, moving northeast at 100 mph. Residents can expect potential damage to roofs, siding, and trees. The following locations are impacted by the warning:
- Long Beach
- Seal Beach
- Pomona
- Rancho Palos Verdes
- San Dimas
- Glendora
- West Covina
- Whittier
- Torrance
- Buena Park
- Chino Hills
- La Habra
- Montclair
- Los Alamitos
- Port of Los Angeles
- La Verne
- Carson
- Rolling Hills
- Brea
- Los Angeles Harbor
Tornado Potential & Safety Measures
The NWS emphasizes the possibility of tornado development from these severe thunderstorms. “Remain alert for a possible tornado! Tornadoes can develop quickly from severe thunderstorms. If you spot a tornado go at once into the basement or small central room in a sturdy structure. For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building.”
Staying Informed & Road Closures
For updates on road closures, please check the CalTrans website or mobile app, or call 800-427-7623. Emergency alerts for “considerable or catastrophic” hazards will be sent to enabled mobile phones. For lesser risks, sign up for county alert systems and monitor agency social media:
Flood Preparedness: Sandbags & Resources
If you’re in a flood-prone area, sandbags can provide a crucial line of defense. County fire departments often offer a limited supply of free sandbags to nearby residents (bring your own shovel and proof of residency). Sandbags are also available for purchase at home improvement stores.
- Los Angeles County Sandbags
- Orange County Sandbags
- San Bernardino County Sandbags
- Riverside County Sandbags
Not sure how to fill sandbags? Watch this helpful how-to video from the City of Seal Beach.
Lightning Safety: Protecting Yourself
Lightning strikes the U.S. approximately 25 million times annually, causing around 20 fatalities. Here’s how to stay safe:
Lightning Safety Plan
- Indoors: Wait for the all-clear.
- No Indoor Shelter: Seek a sturdy structure, basement, or interior room.
Heavy Rain & Driving Safety
Heavy rain increases the risk of flooding and hazardous driving conditions. Follow these NWS safety tips:
- Beware of Swollen Waterways: Avoid parking or walking near culverts and drainage ditches.
- Safe Following Distance: Increase following distance to four seconds.
- Reduce Speed: Slow down and avoid abrupt braking.
- Choose Lanes Wisely: Use middle lanes to minimize hydroplaning.
- Visibility: Turn on headlights.
- Slippery Roads: Be cautious during the first half hour of rain.
- Large Vehicles: Maintain distance from trucks and buses.
- Windshield Wipers: Pull over if wipers can’t keep up.
Remember to stay informed about weather conditions and heed guidance from local authorities. For more local weather alerts, visit our Weather Advisory page.
This article was generated by software analyzing National Weather Service warnings and advisories, based on human-created templates. Data is sourced from publicly available information. Report errors to online@scng.com. Copyright 2026 Daily News. All rights reserved.
