i wrote a friend about the weather and here was the reply...

"Hammered mostly last night, it's just a little bit of rain now. Some
wind gusts, too. We really needed rain so it's a good thing. And now I
understand that TD 16 is now officially Nicole! This rain will really
help my palm in the front yard. Last year's cold, cold winter really
did a number on it. It's trying desperately to come back and this will
help it along!..."

I didn't know it had been that dry down there.... Oh well, If you're
gonna live there you gotta get used to it, I suppose.