Rain Catches Some Off Guard, While Others Embrace Change In Weather

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — When the rain started falling Sunday morning, it caught many people around Los Angeles and the valley off guard.

Couples had to huddle together under single umbrellas, while others couldn't help but get soaked.

"The rest of the world, this kind of thing happens all the time," said Dennis Edwards, who was caught in the rain. "But here, everybody is like what is this stuff?"

Some embraced the change in the weather.

John Stanis actually broke out his flip-flops, something he learned to do when he lived in rainier climates.

"In Northern California, the only way you can keep your feet from getting wet when it rains 200 inches a year is to wear sandals, or go barefoot," he said. "This way, your shoes don't get wet."

But walking in the rain was one thing, while driving in it was another matter.

Police say an accident on Ventura Boulevard sent two people to the hospital with critical injuries.

It happened just a few minutes after the rain started. Officials think the driver was going too fast, and lost control on the wet road.

"The first rain makes the roads very slick, especially the freeways. and people don't remember to slow down, particularly when it's the first heavy rain," Edwards added.

The timing of the rain wasn't ideal for businesses trying to take advantage of the last weekend before Halloween.

It's already working for Burbank resident Dennis Edwards.

"I've been waiting for it for all summer. I love the rain, it's beautiful. The plants need it, and the whole state needs it," he added.