The Los Angeles area is facing a rare flash-flood watch, with a flash flood warning in its mountain and canyon areas, as thunderstorms, lightning, high winds and hail hammer the nation's second largest city. The National Weather Service said a north-moving storm cell is to blame for the chaos.

Officials have warned hikers to especially avoid narrow canyons that could experience flooding during heavy rain.

The crazy weather began on Friday, with north Orange County receiving the brunt of the extreme weather. The Los Angeles Times reports that Lighting there set fire to several power lines and trees, knocking out power for some 106,000 people in Fullerton, Garden Grove, Santa Ana and Brea.

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UPI reports that a man in Fontana was taken to a hospital after being electrocuted by lightning, when a crane he was touching was struck with a discharge. A bicyclist was also nearly struck by lightning as well.

Towards the mountains, wind gusts up to 40 mph have been reported. Eyewitnesses in Altadena said that marble-sized hail fell on their cars and homes over the we weekend.

For more information about lighting safety please read this article.