Sunday storm drenches Malibu, closes Chili Cook-Off Play

A late-summer storm soaked Malibu on Sunday, with rain totals topping an inch across much of the area and lightning prompting the city to close all beaches.

Heavy beach erosion has taken much of Wetsward Beach, west of the Sunset Restaurant. Water pooled all along Zuma Beach inward from the formersurf boom, and in some places water was up to the seawall along the parking lot.

At 5:30 p.m., distant thunder was audible at Trancas as light rain continued. But at 6:30 p.m., heavy rain was falling in eastern Malibu and the San Fernando Valley, while a patch of blue sky appeared to the west at Trancas.

The Chili Cook-Off grounds turned into a sea of mud and the event was cancelled. Sunday tickets will be honored Monday. Monday plans remain uncertain.

A crash was reported on PCH at Sycamore Cove, near the Big Sand Dune. No PCH closures were in effect. Los Angeles County reported Malibu Canyon, Kanan-Dume and other minor canyon and mountain roads open.

Rain chances will continue through the evening, with an additional 0.10 to 0.25 inches possible for Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Forecasters also called for a 15 percent chance of a thunderstorm Sunday afternoon in Los Angeles and eastern Ventura counties.

Malibu rain totals as of 5:45 p.m. Sunday:

• Leo Carrillo: 0.60

• KBUU Trancas: 0.63

• Upper Trancas Creek: 0.73

• Upper Pepperdine: 1.14

• Carbon Beach: 1.10

• Big Rock Mesa: 1.34

• Upper Sunset Mesa: 1.44

• Topanga Canyon School: 1.12

• Stunt Road (Saddle Peak): 1.47

• Monte Nido (Piuma Road): 1.42

• Malibu Canyon Forestry Camp: 1.13

• Venice Beach: 1.18

• Calabasas Dump: 0.83

• Agoura Hills: 0.84