Why Nobody From Lubbock Knows How to Dress for Rain

People in Lubbock have absolutely no idea how to dress for the rain...myself included.

The second it starts raining here, the entire city falls apart like settlers on the moon encounter weird space weather for the first time.

So, What's The Problem?

Part of the problem, of course, is that it hardly ever rains here, and when it does, there's nothing normal about it. It's either a light sprinkle that lasts a few minutes, or a full-on biblical event with sideways hail the size of tennis balls, and flying trampolines.

We don't really own clothes for it. I don't know if I've ever even seen a raincoat for sale here.

Instead, we sprint through parking lots in flip-flops, a hoodie, and gym shorts. Most of us refuse to acknowledge the weather entirely, no matter what season it is. Winter? Same getup.

Do you own an umbrella?

I don't.

I mean...what's the point?

We also totally lose our minds when it comes to driving in it. We're either going 12 miles per hour with our hazard lights on, or hydroplaning down the loop at 80.

The Drama of Lubbock Weather

The funniest part is how dramatic our city gets when rain appears in the forecast. Grocery stores get packed FAST, and social media fills with pictures of the storm, as if we'll never have the chance to take another photo of clouds again.

I kind of love it, though. I'll be honest.

Rain in Lubbock still feels like an event. The smell of wet dirt hits our nostrils differently here. We slow down for a second and enjoy it after months of dust, heat, and wind. The entire city feels alive again each time it rains.

Even if none of us know what shoes to wear for it.