Todd & All,

Because we haven't seen a major earthquake in this century in a city like LA or SF we don't have any point of reference anymore than the people in the Southeast could have imagined the situation they face today.

We have plenty of dams, rivers, levees and large bodies of water throughout this state which could go during or after an earthquake and though it might be different, the devastation could be beyond anything we can think of.

Though Loma Prieta was not a mega quake, you'd think so when you visit Santa Cruz almost 16 years later. There are lots where commercial buildings once stood which have not seen rebuilding. Some folks lost their homes and the land was unsuitable for rebuilding. Many are living a life somewhat less than they knew and will never fully recover. Not unlike New Orleans, some people lost their livelihood and their homes at the same time. The scale is small, but if it affects you personally, it doesn't matter how big the disaster is. It's your disaster.

FEMA will be stretched thin this time around and there are going to be many who won't receive any assistance at all. In time we'll see which insurance companies are still in business after they pay out as well. It is going to be the greatest challenge of this century. What we have to be concerned about is that there are no further disasters in the next five years or this country is going to be reeling. The increases costs now in gasoline would be miniscule.

I'm not saying this to be frightening, but to give us a perspective on millions who live in harms way and are totally unprepared for even a 7.0, let alone anything larger. We need to get our act together, swiftly. Will it happen? Not likely.

Petra