by eamarquardt » Sun Oct 28, 2012 3:29 am
Here, just north of Los Angeles, we just don't have severe weather. Even a "record" rainstorm is nothing compared to a summer afternoon thunderstorm in Pensacola, Florida. The pictures and videos on the news of the east coast storms are quite impressive.
What we do have here is inadequate drainage, soil that tends to slip away when saturated causing devastating landslides (if you fly around you can see many hills with huge escarpments and the whole side of the hill missing), and people that don't know how to drive in the rain or build in locations that are safe (everyone wants a view or to be near the ocean).
Opps, almost forgot to mention. We have earthquakes. However the news media doesn't have much to do in the time leading up to an earthquake because there is no really good way to predict em (but the Italians just sentenced some of their earthquake scientists to 7 years in prison because they didn't predict and warn that there was going to be an earthquake). So, earthquakes sneak up on you with no warning, startle you with sudden violent shaking, shake you to your knees (which is one of the more minor consequences), and suggest that the end of the world has arrived as the very foundation of your life isn't stable. The good news is that they last only a few seconds to a few minutes but that can be more than long enough to wreck havoc.
I'm not sure which type of disaster is better. If I were on the east coast, I think I'd take a "vacation" and head for higher inland ground. Most folks won't so the hinterlands won't be too crowded. One trick I've learned here in earthquake country is that in the first couple of minutes after a earthquake, you can still make phone calls. Most people take a few minutes to gather their wits and then try to call out but, by then, the networks are overloaded. I phoning someone outside the area to let the know you're ok (and the should have a list to call others you'd like to notify) if your first priority (aside from keeping yourself and others safe), you have a good chance of completing your call before the networks get overloaded.
Good luck to everyone and as we say: "Keep your head down".
Gus
The opinions in this post are my own. My comments are directed to those that might like an alternative approach to those already espoused.There is the right way,the wrong way,the USMC way, your way, my way, and the highway.
"I'm impatient with stupidity. My people have learned to live without it." Klaatu-"The Day the Earth Stood Still"
"You can't handle the truth!"-Jack Nicholson "A Few Good Men"
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. The Marines don't have that problem"-Ronald Reagan
(plus the media feeding you all the Tragedy) 
.... A variety of Distractions keep you from being depressed .... Give my wife a flashlight and a book of crossword puzzles , and she’s happy for days ... Just saying ... Keep your mind/attitude/head right and you can make clear , rational decisions should you need to ... 
