Here’s an issue that the Los Angeles County Transportation Authority doesn’t have to deal with too often—lightning. 

But early Thursday morning, as thunder rumbled across the Southland, a lightning strike (“yes, a lightning strike,” says Metro’s blog) interrupted power on the Blue Line between the Willow and Del Amo stations for more than an hour, forcing Metro to send buses to shuttle riders along the light rail line. 

“There has been a loss of electrical power, due to reported lightning strikes to the overhead power system,” said Luis Inzunza of Metro shortly after the lightning strike occurred just before 7AM. “It is affecting some Metro Blue Line rail service in Long Beach.”

By 8AM, however, power had been restored and Metro was running test trains on the affected portion of the line and shortly afterwards, service returned to normal.

If you were delayed by the Blue Line this morning and need delay verification for employer/school, call Metro Customer Relations at (213) 922-6235 or fax them at (213) 922-6988.