[John H K]

Don't know how you all can deal with tornados....I thought earthquakes weren't too bad, myself...except for the few seconds (which seemed like 20 minutes) when they hit. (So. Calif.)

Oh, I'm from Maryland, myself. When I was coaching a debate team I spent a Spring being chased around by Tornados at Nationals in Kentucky and Illinois and Alabama, though.

Even in Oklahoma the odds of a specific acre of land being struck by a tornado over, say, a 40 year period, is infintesimally small.

On the other hand, in Southern California, ANY location, over a 40 year period, is practically guaranteed of a level of shaking ranging from moderate damage to your house is leveled.

It's pure psychology why people perceive tornadoes as worse; much smaller land area ACTUALLY affected, but a high recurrence rate.

Insurers don't sit around worrying about tornadoes. They DO sit around worrying about earthquakes (and of course that's why you need specific earthquake insurance in almost all cases.

[nicmarlo]

It's pure psychology why people perceive tornadoes as worse

I'm certain of that....when you see this monster coming toward you, and that's really what it is, it's frightening, because it may kill you, and if it doesn't, it may kill your neighbor, right next store, and leave you completely alone. Very weird. Radomness.

[rwfromkansas]

Right.

I would rather live out here and deal with twisters than earthquakes in Cali.

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

Even in Oklahoma the odds of a specific acre of land being struck by a tornado over, say, a 40 year period, is infintesimally small.

While that may be true, this is the very same area that was hit either 3 or 4 years ago by another very large tornado. I am stunned they were hit again.