VICA Office Closes After Lightning Strike

The Valley Industry & Commerce Association was closed Thursday when its building in Van Nuys lost all power. Jessica Yasukochi, vice president of the business advocacy organization, said it was not known if lightning struck the building at 16600 Sherman Way or a nearby transformer when the power went out at about 9:20 a.m. “It was the most gigantic boom I have ever heard, and everything just went out,” Yasukochi said, adding that the lights at first flickered and “then everything was gone.” The Food 4 Less building at 16530 Sherman Way also lost its power, which led Yasukochi to speculate that it was a transformer that got hit. The lightning was part of a storm that came through Southern California and dumped 2 inches or more of rain in some places. Zuma Beach in Malibu and the beaches and pier in Santa Monica closed because of lightning.