Of course, people on the North West coast know rain. But they rarely or perhaps never see the kind of thunderstorms (rate of precipitation) that happen regularly at times in much of the country influenced by Gulf of Mexico. This includes most of US. population --- much of Midwest and Eastern Seaboard as well as Gulf Coast. It's not news for anybody but a few Northwesterners.

I got my gear soaked a few times, bought a rain cover for pack, lost the thing.... that was years ago....I run the risk...