So what’s the big deal about earthquakes in CA? (Redondo Beach: apartments, tornadoes)

[Mr5150]

OK, I grew up with earthquakes. Anything under a 6 is fun. Over a 6 some concern. But compared to tornados and hurricanes, loss of life is minimal. CA building standards are high since 1906.

So look it up: in the US how many people and buildings have died from earthquakes in the last 50 years. Compare to the damage and deaths from hurricanes and tornados in the last 15 years.

Why are some freaked out over earthquakes?

[Mr. Boring]

No warning.
Two of the biggest hit SoCal at very psychologically vulnerable times 1971: 6AM and 1994: 430AM. I was asleep for both of these and they woke me up; dark and noisy, rattling, frightening.

[sav858]

I think it's the unpredictability of them that scares people; you never know when one will strike. Tornadoes you have at least a little warning and hurricanes you have a lot of warning.

[ysr_racer]

Earthquake, 30 seconds. Miserable winter in Chicago, SIX MONTHS

You decide which is worse.

[Grlzrl]

Originally Posted by Mr. Boring

No warning.
Two of the biggest hit SoCal at very psychologically vulnerable times 1971: 6AM and 1994: 430AM. I was asleep for both of these and they woke me up; dark and noisy, rattling, frightening.

I was in Redondo Beach when that one happened. NOT fun. My ex boyfriend lived in the Northridge Meadows Apartments on the basement floor of the building that collapsed and killed people one year before it happened. I have a healthy fear of earthquakes. I moved away from California in 1997. Took years for the nightmares where I was in a downtown high rise during an earthquake to stop.

[Tulemutt]

Originally Posted by ysr_racer

Earthquake, 30 seconds. Miserable winter in Chicago, SIX MONTHS

You decide which is worse.

It’s happened: we agree on something

()

[Ruth4Truth]

Because they've been scared by "the Big One" scenarios.

[RosieSD]

I worry more about wildfires than I do about earthquakes.

Wildfires have done much more damage and taken more lives in California over the last 20 years than earthquakes.

People who don't live here, or who just moved here, don't seem to understand that though.

[expatCA]

Originally Posted by RosieSD

I worry more about wildfires than I do about earthquakes.

Wildfires have done much more damage and taken more lives in California over the last 20 years than earthquakes.

People who don't live here, or who just moved here, don't seem to understand that though.

Yep, unless you have experienced a quake, you do not know what they are like. Under 7.0 not much of a big deal; and above that, damage certainly can occur but such are rare. Then of course how close to the epicenter also plays a part. Experienced more than I can count in SoCal.

[Mr. Boring]

Originally Posted by RosieSD

I worry more about wildfires than I do about earthquakes.

Wildfires have done much more damage and taken more lives in California over the last 20 years than earthquakes.

People who don't live here, or who just moved here, don't seem to understand that though.

I'm thinking 97% of people aren't vulnerable to wild fires....just those in or near brush areas/forests. But everyone is vulnerable to earthquakes.