Are you scared of "Big One" earthquake? (Hayward: credit, tornadoes)

[Fontucky]

Originally Posted by Lovehound

Yeah, but you're a renter.

Wrongo.

[Millie37]

We just don't think about it :-). We, Californians don't think or are prepare for the big one. We think about earthquake when it shakes a couple of times over 3 during summer days and then we go on with our lives and we forget about it. None of the poeple I know have at home what it takes to survive after the big one. Very scary!!!!. but very true

[dcashley]

Originally Posted by Millie37

We just don't think about it :-). We, Californians don't think or are prepare for the big one. We think about earthquake when it shakes a couple of times over 3 during summer days and then we go on with our lives and we forget about it. None of the poeple I know have at home what it takes to survive after the big one. Very scary!!!!. but very true

Nearly all of us "have what it takes[sic]" We are just realists and pragmatic. We do not fall prey to alarmists, and fear mongers.

[femmefleur]

[quote=LABornandRaised;8373576]I keep hearing that 2010 is the year being predicted to be the "Big One." I think there are a lot of Californians, who don't own homes, who want the earthquake to be big enough to scare people out of the state, but not so big that it hurts/kills anyone. This state has become so overpopulated that the housing prices are completely unreasonable. Look at the press release yesterday mentioning that LA county housing sales are up over 40% (IN THIS ECONOMY!!! That's insane).

Well, population is only part of what drove or drives the prices of real estate up in Southern California. But yes, location, location, location. Some people can still afford the over inflated prices. But I don't think anyone in Southern California really wants an earthquake at all, scaring people out of the state is not the answer. Besides, logically, if that happens and land/housing values fall - more people would just flock here.

In response to the original question, no not scared. I'm prepared as much as I can be. Have plenty of water and canned goods at home. I also carry a backpack in my car with good walking boots, change of clothes, water, flashlight, radio, and other necessities in case I have to leave my car and walk. What scares me is when other people panic, not the actual earthquakes themselves.

[LoneStarJerry]

Not scared one bit.

[Huckleberry3911948]

it will take the form of terrible storms and sunamies.

[graciously]

[quote=femmefleur;8422932]

Originally Posted by LABornandRaised

Well, population is only part of what drove or drives the prices of real estate up in Southern California. But yes, location, location, location. Some people can still afford the over inflated prices. But I don't think anyone in Southern California really wants an earthquake at all, scaring people out of the state is not the answer. Besides, logically, if that happens and land/housing values fall - more people would just flock here.

Really how can you be sure. If that happens a lot would probably not wanna flock here too.

[femmefleur]

Originally Posted by graciously

Really how can you be sure. If that happens a lot would probably not wanna flock here too.

Just history. The population has not gone down after the Loma Prieta and Northridge quakes or California wildfires. There are more people in SF and in L.A. now then there ever was. Southern California and Los Angeles are big and spread out, and if you were here during the Northridge quake you know that quite a few areas weren't affected by it. If you were affected by it though, that already was "the big one" for you!

Heck, people are moving back to New Orleans, and new people are moving there even after what was one of the worst disasters in U.S. history. You would think people would want to avoid that area entirely. But, they don't!

That being said, one important note is that the Latino population (from South America and Mexico) are very resilient, and will continue to move into those areas (even New Orleans) no matter what happens.

But I pretty much agree with TheRealAngelion and his/her post on the subject of Los Angeles.
http://www.city-data.com/forum/8349878-post61.html

[dcashley]

It makes more sense to be afraid of credit card debt than earthquakes. An earthquake may cause you some damage in the future. Credit card debt is guaranteed to damage you.

[SOON2BNSURPRISE]

Originally Posted by dcashley

It makes more sense to be afraid of credit card debt than earthquakes. An earthquake may cause you some damage in the future. Credit card debt is guaranteed to damage you.

How true that is. I only worry about things that I can control anyway. I can't control the weather, I can't control the presures that are always pushing on tectonic plates below us. I can control my debt and how I handle it.