December 12, 2014

  • Rain!

    Last night I awoke at 3 am to  the roar of heavy rain on the roof -- and it's still raining!  This is the second storm in as many weeks, and I heard last night that we may have a third on its way!  I also heard that this is the first true storm that we have had for at least 5 years -- I think it may be longer!

    There has been a lot of flooding and mud slides in the "burn areas," where there were fires earlier in the year, and there are about 100 homes under mandatory evacuation in these areas.  You may see news stories about mud as high as the second stories of some houses, or mud coming out the living room windows on the other side of a house.  These are isolated, and in burn areas.  And the Pacific Coast Highway (Hwy 1) is closed again north of Malibu due to mud slides.  There is flooding in low-lying areas, affecting roads and freeways.  There will be LOTS of traffic accidents, since we've forgotten how to drive in the wet weather. 

    I plan to stay indoors today -- well, I might pick up the newspaper if there's a lull in the rain.  My house is dry; it is at the top of a gentle knoll, and not in danger either of being hit by mud or of sliding down a hill.  It will be cozy and warm, and a good place to get some constructive work done.  It will be a good place from which to enjoy the rain!

    Ironically, this rain, as heavy as it seems, will not do much to break the drought that has enveloped this area unless it is followed by similar frequent rains through this winter and next.  It is, however, a good start towards making us all feel that there is hope for a more normal season.

Comments (26)

  • I just was watching the news and some of those mud slides were really bad. Glad you are safe and comfortable and not in danger of washing away. Stay dry and comfortable and enjoy just listening to rain.

    • The mud slides are really bad this time -- in isolated areas where there were fires in the last couple of years. But when a hillside comes down, it takes whatever is in its way!

  • Good to know you are safe. Isn't it like the news media to make it sound like all of CA is covered in mud and sliding into the ocean! I hope that the drought is over and the rains continue frequently s that you can get back to a better hydration state!

    • Well -- all of CA has had some pretty wicked weather. San Francisco got it first, and we got it last night. The mudslides have been nasty, due to previous fires, and one house (in Washington State) did slide into the ocean. I'm not sure what people expect when they build close to the top of a cliff, or to the bottom of a fire-prone hillside! I don't think the drought is over, but it is nice to have a little water added to the mix! They just had an F-0 tornado in South Los Angeles!

  • so thankful with you for your rain ~ glad your home is in a safe place ~

    • We are thankful for the rain -- now to dig out from mudslides! I'll be fine -- the house is dry and the area isn't going anywhere.

  • I'm glad you are OK. Stay safe.

    • Thanks! It's been quite a day! I decided during a lull in the rain to go to the post office -- but just as I got there the skies opened up again. I didn't get my business done -- I turned around and came home instead!

  • Congratulations. It's been a long drought.

    • Thanks! It has been a long drought -- and it's not really over yet! It was good to see today's rain, but the 4" of rain we've had won't make up for several years ofo subpar rainfall! We'll have to wait a while longer, and take a large, deep breath to make sure that it keeps raining through the winter!

  • Los Angeles got really wet and I slept outdoors by a discount store. It was cold and my clothes was slightly wet but I survived. I appreciate a warm couch even more!

    But it seems like there is less rain induced car accidents and I love it when it rains because helping people when it rains is rewarding....

  • It's all or nothing there, feast or/and famine but which ever, it's great for the drought.

    • This rain will hopefully soak in (at least what doesn't wash out to sea), and the next will have more of a chance to be beneficial. We've had more than the normal average rain for this time of year -- I hope it continues! The news is full of the damage doen, but the storm truly did more good than damage except in isolated spots.

  • It will take a good long, wet winter, to break the back of the drought. I do hope there is a lull, by which you may get safely to and from Santa Barbara.

    • It would be nice if we have a wet winter -- there's more rain coming, not as large a storm but every drop will help. I am already feeling a bit refreshed!

  • Hi Janet. Been thinking about you. Glorious rain, eh? But then the parts that involve humans and accident, trees down, flooding tends to tear at our hearts. Stay safe. More is coming and California needs it badly. Hugs!

    • Hi, Lyne -- I thought of you too during the rains -- hope that you have (and will) survived safely! Today is one of those lovely CLEAN after-the-storm days -- and I'm looking forward to more rainy days through the winter. Cachuma is still below 30% of capacity, but the river began to flow a little this week! Hope you are all well -- hugs!

  • Some parts of 101 was tough---for home owners.

    We stil need more rain.

    • I guess those people in Camarillo against the hill would agree with you! I'm glad I wasn't on the road on Thursday night or Friday!

  • I have watched the news, and have felt happy for you all. It's just too bad that you are getting so much of it suddenly. Anyway, like you said, there is hope for more rain, and hopefully more saturation.

    • It's a mixed blessing. At this point, much of the rain that is falling simply runs off the baked soil and into the sea. That is what is causing the floods and mudslides that you are seeing. However, in the areas where it falls less heavily, the rain is soaking in, and laying the basis for beneficial rains later on. We have another storm coming in tonight, and a third this week on Wednesday or Thursday night. Then the forecast is for an extended dry spell till the end of the year. I'm hoping that will last through 1/5, when I plan to drive home after 2 weeks in Santa Barbara! That said, every little bit of rain helps, and we need it all!

  • Glad you have your rain although a little more spread out would be nice. We don't have a choice so we take what we get and are thankful for cozy houses! :-)

    • Thank you -- you're right, and we'll take any drop of rain that we are given these days! I'll be able to drive in dry weather tomorrow -- and I hope again on 1/5 coming home! And we're expecting sun and 70 degrees for Christmas!

  • Hope you are having a wonderful week. I am sure the drive home on 1/5 will be good, and perhaps the rains won't be too hard and too fast to just make a mess of things, ie: mudslides etc.
    I did post the recipe for the candy on my blog.

    • Thanks, Zakiah -- I drive tomorrow in warm, dry weather, and it looks as if we have a sunny week coming -- don't know yet about the second week! Thanks, too, for the candy recipe -- I'll definitely make it!

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