On November 29, 2018, it rained in Los Angeles.
That might not seem like a big deal to people in most parts of the country, but to the residents of the perpetually dry metropolis, it was a day of both celebration and danger they could not stop tweeting about.
City officials' first concern was making sure drivers (who had very little experience driving in rainy conditions) were safe on LA's famous highways.
They offered to tips to follow.
Seriously.
Please drive safely in the #LARain: 1. Slow down 🐢 2. Keep both hands on the wheel 👐 3. Leave extra room between ca… https://t.co/6BD5zwJ6FI— Los Angeles County (@Los Angeles County) 1543510398.0
We can’t stress this enough, 🌧 does not cause crashes, how you drive in the 🌧 does. Turn your lights on. SLOW DOWN,… https://t.co/P9QgcANUBc— CHP PIO - LA County (@CHP PIO - LA County) 1543508904.0
All over the world, people were talking about the rare LA rainstorm.
I mean, the fact that there’s even a hashtag (#LARain) and that it’s trending worldwide, should give you an idea of how far this goes.— Delmy Barillas (@Delmy Barillas) 1543516157.0
A favorite topic to tweet about: how bad LA drivers are at handling the wet conditions.
So adorable. They truly cannot handle sky water. https://t.co/369nVuUwWF— roxane gay (@roxane gay) 1543514510.0
Of course, in some instances, it was hard to blame them.
raining so hard the LA River is literally a river https://t.co/LDO4Q3UlVo— Owen Ellickson (@Owen Ellickson) 1543517149.0
One of many car crashes turning our freeways into parking lots #LArain #sigalert 134 EAST near Colorado/Figueroa, b… https://t.co/xcm0rMdYJC— Alysha Del Valle (@Alysha Del Valle) 1543504596.0
Twitter users who stayed inside got to celebrate, but conditions worsened as rain continued to fall.
It's raining!!!!! #LARain https://t.co/mm6Dklzp7F— ☕ LM ✌️ (@☕ LM ✌️) 1543504118.0
The National Weather Service has issued a flood advisory in areas recently scarred by devastating wildfires in Los… https://t.co/zgZ87Kmpwe— Los Angeles Times (@Los Angeles Times) 1543506826.0
Traffic continued to slow...
Yikes... well, I’m going to be late. Thanks, #LArain 😑 an hour to go 6 miles? NEEEEAAAAAAT. https://t.co/yY5ggGvNOY— Bree Buckley (@Bree Buckley) 1543503591.0
Ya’ll I’m not even on the actual freeway yet. I’m still on the ON RAMP. I’ve been on the ON RAMP for an HOUR.… https://t.co/CyqMgivHPw— Bree Buckley (@Bree Buckley) 1543506506.0
How people in LA drive when it rains. #LARain https://t.co/y5rapwiFgC— Joel Rivera Schoenbach 🎅🏼 (@Joel Rivera Schoenbach 🎅🏼) 1543515911.0
I could live in Los Angeles for 100 years, and I will never not be shocked that it takes 40 minutes to drive 2 mile… https://t.co/ebWjqyMkEZ— Elissa Vallano (@Elissa Vallano) 1543515912.0
Just moved to LA from NYC. People here losing their minds over #LARain I’m keeping my car in the garage. They can’t be trusted.— Occam’s Razor Burn (@Occam’s Razor Burn) 1543515858.0
Funny how a change of perspective can turn rain showers into AN EVENT.
I used to love the first day of the rainy season so much growing up here that I would pull out a little wooden stoo… https://t.co/TLlu65kw5K— Jenny Yang 👲🏼👲🏼👲🏼 (@Jenny Yang 👲🏼👲🏼👲🏼) 1543508432.0
Today is one of the three times a year where I think, "Maybe I should buy an umbrella." But it's been at least 20… https://t.co/dQQznbnUfy— Matt Walker (@Matt Walker) 1543515913.0
The rain may help to douse the recent California fires which have made national headlines, but a large shower right on the tail of a blaze can make for an entirely new natural danger: mudslides.
The LA Times explained why.
There's a big connection between wildfires and dangerous mudslides. Here's why. https://t.co/nIn7YdRgmy https://t.co/GaIhwql5TQ— Los Angeles Times (@Los Angeles Times) 1542736439.0
Its raining in LA, which means all 10 min driving commutes will now take 2 days! #LARain— Yamaneika Saunders (@Yamaneika Saunders) 1543515220.0
Of course, in Hollywood, many are singing and dancing.
It’s a rainy morning! Please watch your step and walk to catch your bus or train. If you have an umbrella check to… https://t.co/pzi42CN5Oi— Metro (@Metro) 1543505869.0
Hopefully the residents of LA will come out on the other side of the rain alive and well.
You’ll live guys, it’s just water. #LARain— MalyndaHale (@MalyndaHale) 1543507661.0
It's raining, Angelenos, which means that driving will be extra precarious today. Here are some helpful tips for dr… https://t.co/OL0U7P6NLv— Los Angeles Times (@Los Angeles Times) 1543511222.0
Meanwhile in Maine...
150pm: Heavy snow over much of Northern Maine. Snow falling at 2"/hour now at NWS Caribou. Special weather statemen… https://t.co/VJE0nCoFlk— NWS Caribou (@NWS Caribou) 1542394327.0