If all storm weather forecasts caused evacuations or panic, people would say the weather couldn't be accurately forecast either. Without 98% accuracy, they wouldn't dare issue the weather forecast (If it was going to panic people) because people might riot, loot die of heart attack or wipe out at 100mph. But because a weather forecast (excluding Hurricanes and Typhoons)isn't likely to cause these reactions, they claim weather can be forecast even when not always very accurate. It isn't that earthquakes can't be forecast, it's just that the forecast needs to be almost infallible so that false alarms dont kill or cost money. I just want to forecast earthquakes like weather so people can take down the china like they would take the laundry off the line before the rain, or close the sunroof in the car for the night. And for those who believe, so that they can take whatever precautions for a bigger earthquake they feel are warranted. I sure wouldn't want the last word on forecasting big earthquakes, too much responsibility. I just want science to investigate foreshocks further and also want continue to be able to boggle my friends with accurate local predictions. That's all...mb.