Must-see: Dramatic photos capture lightning off California coast

A fire department spokesman's stunning photos of lightning off the California coast are taking social media by storm.

Credit: Mike Eliason

According to CNN, Mike Eliason of the Santa Barbara County Fire Department snapped the photos Tuesday night as thunderstorms pounded the region with more than 2,000 lightning strikes.

>> See the tweets here and here

#CAwx- Lightning strikes in the skies above Santa Barbara, CA, March 5, 2019, as seen in these views from Stearns Wharf. pic.twitter.com/htNyYzy2Ef
— SBCFireInfo (@EliasonMike) March 6, 2019

#CAwx- Lightning strikes in the skies above Santa Barbara, CA, March 5, 2019, as seen in these views from Stearns Wharf. pic.twitter.com/93SziH1QjS
— SBCFireInfo (@EliasonMike) March 6, 2019

The Los Angeles Times reported that lightning briefly knocked out power to some terminals at Los Angeles International Airport and struck a Seattle-bound plane, which was forced to return to LAX. No passengers were hurt, officials said.