we're damp most of the time, but usually (historically) we get light rains that the land can absorb. heavy rains are not the norm. it actually rains more per year (in terms of rainfall depth) in florida than in the puget sound lowlands.

of course, heavy rains, floods and mudslides in these parts are becoming more frequent in the last ten years or so...seems like every year or two we have huge events. this is not normal. hmmmm