Around 800 homes in hilly suburbs surrounding the Los Angeles area have been issued evacuation orders as the fourth storm to hit the region this week arrived, causing power outages and transport chaos.

The National Weather Service said the storm could produce from one to two inches of rain in coastal and valley areas and two to four inches in the foothills and mountains.

Scattered thunderstorms "will occur and may become severe this afternoon," possibly generating waterspouts, small tornadoes and 60-mile-per-hour winds, according to an NWS advisory.

Later Thursday the NWS issued a tornado warning for parts of southern California and Arizona.

Around 3,000 homes in Los Angeles were left without power after electricity was knocked out late Wednesday, the Department of Water and Power said.

A flash flood warning would remain in effect until late Thursday, officials in Los Angeles County said.

Residents of some 800 homes near hillsides denuded of vegetation in massive wildfires last year had been told to evacuate although around 25 percent of those had refused to leave.

"The Los Angeles County Fire Department is anticipating that a significant mud flow and debris flow is likely today," Los Angeles County Fire Department Chief Deputy John Tripp told a morning briefing.

Meanwhile Southwest Airlines suspended flights in and out of Los Angeles Airports citing unfavorable wind conditions.

On Wednesday two Southwest jets were hit by lightning as they arrived at Burbank Airport before touching down safely.

The storm caused huge waves at Southern California beaches, where several piers were closed.

San Diego's famous SeaWorld marine mammal park was closed because of torrential rain.

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