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What Are the Dangers of Being Outside in the Rain?

Walking in the rain involves more than getting wet and damaging your clothes. It entails subjecting yourself to many dangers -- seen and unseen -- that naturally the combination of rain and the outdoors create. Knowledge of these dangers and their effects along with precautions to minimize the dangers provide some degree of safety.

Lightning
- Lightning can strike at any time.
  
  Although lightning strikes without rain and it rains without lightning, be alert to the dangers of lightning when outside in the rain. Lightning requires a thunderstorm but you may not hear the thunder due to the distance involved. Lightning can strike at any time causing property damage, personal injury and death. Avoid trees, especially tall ones, water of any kind such as lakes or ponds and open spaces. The safest place is inside; seek shelter as soon as possible.
Flooding
- Water accumulates quickly during rain especially on roads. Rain decreases visibility during daylight and nighttime. Standing water appears rapidly and is generally deeper than it appears. Small streams or creeks can also overflow. All of these conditions contribute to flash flooding which presents dangers to motorists which can result in drowning. The National Weather Service's advice is to "turn around don't drown." Do not take a chance; if the road ahead is flooded, turn around and go the other way.
Wind
- Wind does not always accompany rain but when it does it creates dangers. Flying debris and wind blown rain that soaks anyone caught in its path are two of the dangers. Straight-line winds can exceed 100 miles per hour and cause most thunderstorm damage, according to Chippewa County Wisconsin's thunderstorms and lightning fact sheet. Winds can bring down branches, trees and power lines. Be alert to trees or power lines blocking streets during thunderstorms. Never touch a downed power line. Secure all loose objects and be prepared for strong gusts of wind.
Hypothermia
- Getting soaked outside during a rain is more than wet clothes. It leads to hypothermia, a condition where the body's core temperature drops. The most obvious symptom is shivering, generally uncontrollable. Hypothermia can occur in warm and cold weather. It normally takes wind in warm weather to produce the condition. Other symptoms include slurred speech, memory problems and drowsiness. Treatment involves getting out of the rain, removal of wet clothing and replacement with dry warm clothing and placement in a warm setting such as a sleeping bag with blankets. Drink warm liquids, eat food and rest. All these actions raise the core temperature.

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