Earthquakes (San Diego: tornadoes, insurance, apartments)

[mj88]

Hello all, I am considering a move to the SF, but am absolutely terrified of the thought of "the big one." Being from the midwest I have never experienced a quake, but according to some internet research it appears SF may be due for another big one within the next 30 years? Would love if someone could shed some light on the subject. Is my fear legitimate? I am ready for a change and SF seems perfect, beautiful (other than the quake threat)!! But the thought of being violently shaken/seriously injured in a huge quake is literally making me sick (and moving is only an idea still!). I just read numerous internet stories of the 1906 quake and it is absolutely the most terrifying thing I have read.. survivors' accounts of witnessing people being crushed and falling here and there. If I'm understanding it correctly, this is due to happen to SF again soon?? Thanks to all who could fill me in.

[ladysrodgers]

Originally Posted by mj88

Hello all, I am considering a move to the SF, but am absolutely terrified of the thought of "the big one." Being from the midwest I have never experienced a quake, but according to some internet research it appears SF may be due for another big one within the next 30 years? Would love if someone could shed some light on the subject. Is my fear legitimate? I am ready for a change and SF seems perfect, beautiful (other than the quake threat)!! But the thought of being violently shaken/seriously injured in a huge quake is literally making me sick (and moving is only an idea still!). I just read numerous internet stories of the 1906 quake and it is absolutely the most terrifying thing I have read.. survivors' accounts of witnessing people being crushed and falling here and there. If I'm understanding it correctly, this is due to happen to SF again soon?? Thanks to all who could fill me in.

The chances of getting hit by a tornado in the mid-west by far exceeds any chance of being in an earthquake.

[moovin]

Your concerns are highly unqualified. The facts are you're more likely to get injured or killed in tornadoes or a train in the midwest than an earthquake in Ca.

[gizmo980]

Ditto the above... I've lived here for almost 25 years, and have only experienced one major quake - the 1989 Loma Prieta. They've been saying "we're due for the big one in 20-30 years" for, oh, 102 years now (since the 1906). It's a valid concern since we're on a major fault, but chances are much higher of devastating tornadoes, hurricanes, blizzards, etc., in other parts of the US. If a big one does hit while you're here, just find the closest table or doorframe to hide under, and hope you're not on top of a tall building or bridge! Aside from that, not much you can do besides having an earthquake survival kit & insurance.

[DMenscha]

Welcome to the USGS - U.S. Geological Survey

The word on earthquakes.

[windsurfingiskewl]

The thing is, tornado frequency is much greater, but an earthquake is muuuuuuch more devastating.

You can see a tornado and have the advantage of hiding underground from it. You can't hide from an earthquake.

a powerful earthquake would be like a nuclear strike without the fire and fallout.

[sonarrat]

You basically have to just be ready and have insurance. There's a reason why houses and apartments, even high-end ones, are built simple and cheap here. You don't want to overbuild to withstand the shaking better, because it'll still get messed up and then it'll cost a fortune to repair the damage. You want to make the repairs easier following when it does get damaged by a sufficient enough quake to break your home's back. (Assuming you had earthquake insurance in the first place.. and if you're a homeowner in most parts of the Bay Area, you're dumb if you don't.)

[fizbin]

Originally Posted by sonarrat

... and if you're a homeowner in most parts of the Bay Area, you're dumb if you don't.)

Don't have Bay Area EQ insurance usage rates, but for CA as a whole fewer than 12% have it.

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Insurance/InsureYourHome/GetTheFactsOnEarthquakeInsurance.asp (broken link)

[Fleet]

Originally Posted by sonarrat

You basically have to just be ready and have insurance. There's a reason why houses and apartments, even high-end ones, are built simple and cheap here. You don't want to overbuild to withstand the shaking better, because it'll still get messed up and then it'll cost a fortune to repair the damage. You want to make the repairs easier following when it does get damaged by a sufficient enough quake to break your home's back. (Assuming you had earthquake insurance in the first place.. and if you're a homeowner in most parts of the Bay Area, you're dumb if you don't.)

Having plywood sheathing installed on the exterior walls (on the ground floor of a multi-story building) can prevent a building from getting messed up in the first place.
I've noticed that with most new-home construction, there is that sheathing on the walls. It costs more but is much more resistant to earthquake forces.

[mj88]

I really appreciate everyone taking the time to respond - thank you. Maybe I'm nieve, but doesn't the thought of a giant quake striking without warning leave an unsettling feeling within you?? I would worry each time I crossed a major bridge that an earthquake would hit and send me plunging into the waters below.

All I know is I want to live in CA - seems so ideal in so many ways. San Diego also seems like a great place from what I have read. I'm a recent college grad so hopefully I'd be able to find a job that pays enough to support living in Calif.