Loading ...Last week I was joking around with a friend about the fact that Orange County was due for an earthquake and that the weather that day was standard issue ‘Earthquake Weather.’ I say ‘joking around’ because I’m a fairly educated individual and as far as I know, there is still no current scientific evidence to suggest that weather has any bearing at all on earthquake occurrences. I do, however, count myself amongst a decent-sized group of native Californians who have experienced numerous earthquakes, and who have mentally formed an opinion about the type of weather associated with these quakes: hot and relatively calm.
I was cautioned recently by a fellow blogger not to write about any undesirable aspects of living in Rancho Santa Margarita, Trabuco Canyon, Orange County or even Southern California as a whole. He was specifically referring to Red Flag Fire Season! Are you ready? - a post that I had written regarding preparation for the upcoming fire season. This particular individual felt that writing about concerns, or risks inherent to an area would essentially steer potential buyers away from the area entirely.
While his point may have some merit, I think it’s important to note that many highly desired locales have some element of risk surrounding them. Yet, people continue to buy homes in hurricane-ridden Florida; they continue to buy homes in Tornado Alley, and they continue to purchase homes on beautiful volcanic islands. I would recommend to anyone who is terrified of hurricanes that they move somewhere else besides Florida. Likewise, in Southern California we have areas that are at risk for wildfires, mudslides and earthquakes. Someone concerned about wildfires and earthquakes might want to think twice before relocating. I’ve decided, however, that I will not curtail my blogging to include only “that which is good.” I believe that it is important to know all aspects of a community and more importantly how the community handles potential risks.
Sunday’s Santa Ana Mountain’s Earthquake rated 4.7 on the Richter Scale. Earthquakes at this location are fairly infrequent and typically smaller than this one. The epicenter was to the NNE of RSM, and 9.6 miles WNW of Lake Elsinore. As far as earthquakes go it felt fairly mild. It was the fairly short-lived, steady, shake and rattle kind - not the scary jolting kind or wavy-rolling kind. It was a non-event for most Orange County and Riverside County residents. Most earthquakes in our area are so mild that they go unnoticed. Quite honestly I am more afraid of an eight-legged house spider than I am of an earthquake. I do, however, wonder about the wisdom of building an Orange County/Riverside County commuter tunnel through the range. Perhaps politicians and planners will have something more to consider on this subject.
Awareness and preparation are important no matter where you choose to live. The Southern California Earthquake Center has an excellent publication that outlines important information that all California should read. The Red Cross documents steps to secure your home and a checklist for emergency supplies on their website.
The California Earthquake Authority (CEA) is dedicated to facilitating adequate Earthquake Insurance options for California homeowners. CEA earthquake insurance policies are available through a relatively small number of companies, who process the applications, renewals, billing and claims. CEA maintains financial strength to insure that all claims arising from an earthquake incident can be paid. The CEA website provides a list of participating insurance companies.
Interesting Earthquake Links:
- Earthquake Country - Separating Fact from Fiction
- USGS - Historic US Earthquakes
- Putting Down Roots in Earthquake Country
Rancho Santa Margarita Sites:
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