Rain presents various dangers in aspects of life we take for granted.
The dangers of rain go beyond the obvious hazards of slick roads and flash floods. Even the slow, heavy accumulation of rain can undermine land formations, posing a danger of mudslides even after the rain has stopped. Floods can carry diseases far from their point of origin to impact areas whose health and emergency services may already be compromised by storm damage. It is important to know the dangers associated with rainfall to minimize your risk from hazardous effects.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
The operation of motor vehicles in rainfall is dangerous, considering that pools of water on the road's surface can lead to decreased tire traction that results in skids. Heavy rainfall decreases road visibility and increases the likelihood of automobile accidents. Fresh rainfall that mixes with oil on road surfaces creates a hydroplane hazard. Hydroplaning occurs when water accumulates in front of a vehicle faster than its tires can displace it, causing the vehicle to temporarily lose contact with the road's surface.
Flooding
Too much rain over an extended period of time or especially heavy rainfall in a short period of time can cause flooding. Overburdened city drainage systems, overflow of rivers and collapsing dams cause large areas to flood. Floodwater that is 6 or more inches high flows much more rapidly than the water in lakes and rivers and can cause injury. Floodwater quickly transports heavy debris, bacteria and pollutants, exposing people to the risk of illness, drowning or serious injury. Floodwater also destroys homes and presents the danger of electrical shock from downed power lines, which may not even be visible above the water's surface. Floods can even cause fires by knocking buildings off their foundations and severing gas or fuel lines.
Mudslides
Mudslides occur when heavy rains transport masses of rock and earthen material down slopes. They are most prominent in steep areas or locations where surface runoff accumulates. Homes and buildings built along steep slopes are highly susceptible to mudslides, which can just as easily occur at night while the occupants are asleep. Mudslides cause injuries and fatalities, disrupt roadways and rupture pipelines. According to the California Department of Public Health, 25 to 50 deaths per year in the U.S. are attributed to mudslides and landslides.
Acid Rain
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, acid rain is a mixture of higher than normal amounts of nitric and sulfuric acid in the atmosphere. Volcanoes, decaying plants or fossil fuels from factories and automobiles emit chemicals that mix with the water and oxygen in the atmosphere. The nitric and sulfuric acid mixture falls to the ground as precipitation and contributes to a host of human health problems, such as bronchitis and asthma. Acid rain also endangers plants and animals: Sensitive water bodies are eradicated of fish and high-elevation tree growth becomes impaired, leading to ecosystem imbalances in both instances.
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