Why are out of state folk so concerned about earthquakes? (house, tornado)

[Mr5150]

I think we need to put earthquakes in perspective.

Question: How many people in the US have died in earthquakes in the last 100 years?

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/states/us_deaths.php

Question #2. How many people have died in the US from tornados in the last 30 years. That's right, the last 30 years. Since 1980.

http://www.norman.noaa.gov/2009/03/us-annual-tornado-death-tolls-1875-present/

The numbers are so much higher for tornados that I'd say that at least 5 times more people died as a result of US tornados in the last 30 years than died in US earthquakes in the last 100 years.

[Voyageur]

Originally Posted by Mr5150

I think we need to put earthquakes in perspective.

Question: How many people in the US have died in earthquakes in the last 100 years?

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/states/us_deaths.php

Question #2. How many people have died in the US from tornados in the last 30 years. That's right, the last 30 years. Since 1980.

http://www.norman.noaa.gov/2009/03/us-annual-tornado-death-tolls-1875-present/

The numbers are so much higher for tornados that I'd say that at least 10 times more people died as a result of US tornados in the last 30 years than died in US earthquakes in the last 100 years.

Many people have an inordinate fear that with which they are not familiar, and are less fearful of that which they are familiar. Thus, I have heard those from the western United States express alarm at tornadoes when, as with earthquakes, the odds of dying in a tornado are vanishingly small. Similarly, as you not, those who live where strong earthquakes are rare to non-existent find the idea of earthquakes are fairly alarming.

Understanding what to do when either strikes (if one lives in an area in which either/both occur with any frequency) is useful. Excessively worrying is not.

[Mr5150]

Originally Posted by Voyageur

Many people have an inordinate fear that with which they are not familiar, and are less fearful of that which they are familiar. Thus, I have heard those from the western United States express alarm at tornadoes when, as with earthquakes, the odds of dying in a tornado are vanishingly small. Similarly, as you not, those who live where strong earthquakes are rare to non-existent find the idea of earthquakes are fairly alarming.

Understanding what to do when either strikes (if one lives in an area in which either/both occur with any frequency) is useful. Excessively worrying is not.

Having been raised in eathquake country (Bay Area) I kinda enjoy the milder ones-up to a 5 on the ricther (SP?) scale. Call me strange, but.........

[DMenscha]

I think it's the unseen aspect of EQ's and the lack of predictability. Tornadoes, hurricanes and most weather related events get some measure of warning. Heck even our wildfires give us some chance of reaction even if it's just a run the other direction kind of thing.

[Twinkle Toes]

I'm afraid of anacondas and man-eating pythons. Oh, and cobras too. Should I move to a place where these things are crawling in and out of the house all day?

[intelfan11315]

The natives of California seem to be much more relaxed about Earthquakes than we are about hurricanes down in South Florida. Although I don't worry about hurricanes much, during hurricane season I do everything I can to be prepared and I always have my food and water stored. The part that worries me isn't so much dying in the storm but the destruction they cause. It is not too much fun to be in 95 degree weather with no power for a week and your neighbor's two big trees are laying in your front yard.

I can't say I'm afraid of earthquakes out in CA.. but if there was an earthquake I think i'd be freaking out if I was underneath one of those overpasses :P I do personally think an earthquake seems easier than a hurricane

[Voyageur]

Originally Posted by Twinkle Toes

I'm afraid of anacondas and man-eating pythons. Oh, and cobras too. Should I move to a place where these things are crawling in and out of the house all day?

If the odds are 8,000,000-to-1 per year of you getting killed by one of those things, and if you can intellectually understand this, why not?

I'm irrationally afraid of flying. I understand that it is irrational. I know the odds and I know they're in my favor. Thus, I still fly.

[Fontucky]

Originally Posted by burgler09

The natives of California seem to be much more relaxed about Earthquakes than we are about hurricanes down in South Florida. Although I don't worry about hurricanes much, during hurricane season I do everything I can to be prepared and I always have my food and water stored.

As do I. Anyone in earthquake country who doesn't, should. I have no less than a week's worth of non-perishable food and water on hand. (that figure doesn't include bathing water)

[native56]

I'd say it's the anticipation that bothers people. We know that the big one is overdue. And we frequently see the destruction earthquakes cause in other countries. But we don't know when or where the big one will hit CA. For sure it's going to be a mess.

Here is some info on when it could happen:

California Has More Than 99% Chance Of A Big Earthquake WIthin 30 Years, Report Shows

And here is some info on the damage it will cause

PropertyRisk Reference Center

[native56]

For those with no time to read the article mentions 14,000 deaths from a big CA quake and tens billions in damages. Tornadoes and hurricanes seldom wreak that havoc.