In 2004 and 3005, there was hurricane after hurricane. There were no direct hits here but it still ruined the flooring and it all had to be ripped out. It is the humnidity like they always say. After Ivan, the house became mold central. No flooding, just from the air.
Lived in Chicago 55 years, now in dixie, but my ashes will be tossed at Point Loma
I believe tornadoes have killed many more.
Comparing the two types of events on a limited time scale is probably not a fair comparison. One event occurs on a geologic scale, the other on a seasonal scale. Also, just like every earthquake is not a high energy event - neither is every tornado...
In magnitude terms, earthquakes have greater immediate and prolonged potential for death primarily due to the size of the area that can be impacted. This also influences the ability to quickly position effective rescue resources to reach injured or trapped survivors, not to mention the lerger picture of infrastructure damage.
For comparison, the worst death tool to hit the U.S. by tornado occurred in 1925 with 625 people killed. By comparison the 1906 San Fransisco earthquake killed approximately 3,000.
A handfull of very powerful tornadoes occur evey year in the US. So far (thankfully) very powerful earthquakes are less common. I hope it stays that way because the potential for loss of life, and secondarily property is significantly higher for earthquakes...
I live in San Diego too and I'll take an earthquake any day over a tornado.
I am the exact opposite - probably because you and I have had a chance to normalize the individual threats we face based on long experience. I would not handle an earthquake well - to quote my kids - that would freak me out - and probably at a level most californians would brush off the same way I brush off a clap of thunder...
Take care.