California has been preparing for major earthquakes for decades. Much like Japan and New Zealand, we will get damage, but the entire region will not be flattened. The St Louis region is not at all prepared for the quake that’s coming to the New Madrid Fault – there was a big one that not only shifted the course of the Mississippi, but also rang church bells in New England!
We try to avoid allowing new construction that would not survive a quake. Unlike the tornado magnets in the Midwest or the flimsy buildings along the coasts directly in the way of hurricanes. There are few, if any, deaths in California due to lack of heating during arctic winter conditions. The percentage of Californians who die of heat-related conditions due to lack of air conditioning is lower than out east. There are disasters everywhere people live. I know how to survive an earthquake. I could be better prepared, but overall, I like my chances out here better! ;–)