...the local Los Angeles news when it rains.
I love being a few miles from the Pacific, and a few miles south of a mountain pass that dumps the white stuff. We get precipitation here maybe 15 days a year, so when it rains, I have to write about it.
It cracks me up to see So Cal residents featured on the local LA news (and that's pretty big news, right? We are Los Angeles), because they don't know what to do when they approach snow on the Interstate, and they're trying to get home. Here's a bit of advice from a Show Me Stater: 1.) Chains for your tires. 2.) Slow down as opposed to speed up 3.) It is the information age; ever heard of checking a weather forecast?
Water starts falling from the sky and people here think they can either out-run the rain, or they have to stop because their tires will lose all potential traction. It's really quite amusing on the LA freeway system, which I compare to an expectant mother (LA), and instead of one, she has...septuplets (LA Freeways). Needless to say, people wanting to go 80+ vs. people wanting to go 60- makes for some interesting automotive disagreements.
So...our local news. Last night, Kristi and I were watching the late edition of our Fox affiliate, and they did a 5 minute feature on an apartment complex in Long Beach that flooded. Seriously, 5 minutes to explain that a contractor didn't finish a job due to illness, and when it began raining, the apartment manager tried covering the FLAT, unfinished roof with a single tarp. Genius. At least it's not more news on Britney Spears.
Not to make total light of the situation. When people wig about the rain here, there is good reason. It keeps coming hard, and everything that burned this summer turns into a river of mud. I don't suppose there's a whole lot that you can do about that, other than get out of the way. Mud coming like an overhead chocolate river will change your landscape quickly...or take a house from 1,000 ft. above sea level to 400 ft. above sea level in a ride to rival all of our area amusement parks. I always find it fascinating (being an individual who believes in Noah, the Ark and the great flood...archaeology tends to agree with Biblical history, you see, vs. the asteroid hitting the planet to wipe out dinosaurs, etc.) to see how rain for just 3 or 4 days can be catastrophic... ...just some food for thought.
Something entertaining to come soon.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
5 comments:
This blog being titled what it is, I gotta add...
I've lived out here for eight and a half years. Number of times I've heard thunder accompany a rainstorm?
Two.
Right on. 2 years for me...1 storm with thunder. Although I heard they had tornadic activity in Malibu tonight.
Dumb question...I usually ask Greg these, but here goes...why is there no thunder???
It's generally just moisture that comes down the Pac/Northwest or off of the Pacific, and very little electrical activity...balanced temps equal rain from the water to air = rain...that's my understanding. Not like the mix of Hot and Cold in the midwest and south, and even over the Rockies which creates all the electrical funk.
Well written article.
Post a Comment