Earthquakes are unpredictable, and their effects can be severe. Unlike other natural disasters, there is no accurate way to predict when and where they will occur. Even if you don’t live in an area prone to earthquakes, you could still be affected.
Recently, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Turkey, and it caused devastation, resulting in thousands of deaths and injuries. Hundreds of aftershocks have occurred, including one that reached 7.3 and another at 6.3 in the surrounding area. The earthquake has killed over 45,000 people and injured more than 108,000.
Even if you don’t plan on visiting Turkey, it’s important to remember that earthquakes can happen anywhere. In 1959, a magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck Hebgen Lake, Montana, which shows that even rural areas are not immune to earthquakes. Additionally, if you’re traveling domestically or overseas to places like California or Oregon, you could also find yourself in an earthquake-prone area.
Earthquakes can cause not only structural damage but also other collateral damage, such as power outages, broken gas, and water lines, and aftershocks that can worsen the situation.
